
Glass f J S 3 



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DAVID IIAYFIKl.I) C()NYN( .1 1 AM. 



THE 

REMINISCENCES 



DAVID HAYFIELD CONYNGHAM 

1750-1834 

A HERO OF THE REVOLUTION, AND THK HKAD OK THE 

REVOLUTIONARY HOUSE 

OF 

CONYNGHAM AND NESBITT 

PHILADELPHIA, PA. 

WITH AN INTRODUCTION, BIOCJRAPHICAL SKETCHES, AND ANNOTATIONS 



REV. HORACE EDWIN HAYDEN, M. A , 

CORnESPONDINO SECRETARY AND LIBRARIAN. 

WYOMING HISTORICAL AND GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
WILKES-BARRE, PA. 




Reprinted from Volumn viii of the Proceedings and Collections of the Society 



WILKKS-BARRK, PA. 

PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY 

1904 



.^rf 



Publishiitg Committee : 

Rev. Horace Edwin Hayden. 

Miss Mvra Poland. 
George Frederick Coddington. 



6i / 



1"" 



PREFATORY NOTE. 



These Reminiscenses of an octogenarian cover a period 
of seventy years in the early history of the United States. 
They have been in the possession of the family of the author 
for the same number of years, a source of pleasure to sev- 
eral generations of his descendants without being made 
public. Their historical value is greatly enhanced by the 
fact that the writer of them was an actor in the events nar- 
rated, or an eye witness, and records his experience with 
the accuracy of a daily journal. 

New light is shed on many instances of Revolutionary 
history already known, and many other incidents of that 
initial period in our history are made public for the first 
time. Twenty years ago the Editor of these pages prom- 
ised their publication. Unavoidable delay has hindered the 
fulfilment of this promise. But the twenty years have 
brought out so much other historical material that the de- 
lay has been the enrichment of the annotations. 

These Reminiscences cover three separate periods in the 
experience of the author. 

First, the struggle of the American Colonies for Inde- 
pendence from the inception of the Stamp Act, 1763, to the 
recognition of our Independence, 1783, which the patriotic 
firm of Conyngham and Nesbitt were important factors in 
securing. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 



Second, the campaign of Western Pennsylvania, or the 
Whiskey Insurrection, in which he served in the United 
States Army, 1794. 

Third, his visit to the then new State of Kentucky, 1807. 



The portrait of David Hayfield Conyngham which pre- 
faces the Reminiscences is from an oil painting in the pos- 
session of his family, and the illustrations of the Conyngham 
House, Fort Wilson and Hon, Richard Peters were gen- 
erously loaned by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



INTRODUCTION. 



DAVID HAYFIELD CONYNGHAM. 

The prominence in the civil and mihtary history of Penn- 
sylvania of the author of the following Reminiscences justi- 
fies a more elaborate sketch of his life than has heretofore 
been written. 

David Hayfield Convngham was the eldest son of Red- 
mond Conyngham, Esq., of Letterkenny, Ireland, and Phila- 
delphia, Pa., the original member and founder of the ship- 
ping house of "Conyngham & Nesbitt," that held an emi- 
nent position in the mercantile history of Philadelphia from 
1745 to 1802. As many of the near relatives of Mr. Con- 
yngham are referred to in his Reminiscences, a brief gene- 
alogical statement will make clear their connexion. 

While nobility of character does not depend on nobility 
of ancestry, it appears from the Peerages of Dugdale, Burke, 
Lodge, Foster and others, and from London Notes and 
Queries,^ that the 

Rt. Reverend William Conyngham, D.D., born 15 12-13, 
Bishop of Argyll, Scotland, 15 39-1 5 58, was a younger son 
of William Conyngham, Fourth Earl of Glencairn in the 
Peerage of Scotland. 

Robertson's Ayrshire Families, quoting from Wood's 
(Douglas) Peerage, says the fifth son of the fourth Earl was 
"William Bishop of Argyll, ancestor of the present Marquis 
of Conynghame in Ireland." This William Conyngham, 
"Jtivenefn annos sex ei viginti natum^ ex nobili et potenti 
familial' was educated for the Church, matriculated Uni- 
versity of St. Andrew's 1532, made Provost Trinity Col- 
lege, Edinburgh, 1538, and raised to the see of Argyle by 

I. V. Notes and Queries, 4th S. XI. 16, 78, 264, 488. XII. 18. 5th S. I. 329- ' IV. 
«82, 357, 435, 518, where the matter is exhaustively discussed. 



6 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

James V. February i, 1539. He was succeeded in his see 
1558 by Rt. Rev. James Hamilton. 

"The Very Rev. Alexander Conyngham, M. A., was the 
son of Dr. William Conyngham, Bishop of Argyle in Scot- 
land, a scion of the family of the Earls of Glencairn." (Cot- 
ton "Fasti Ecclesiai Hibernicae," HI: 361, 368, 370. V: 266,) 
In 1616 he was naturalized as an English subject (Rot. Pat. 
14, Jac. i), was the first Protestant minister of Inver and 
Kellymard, County Donegal, 1611 (Lodge's Peerage, VIII: 
178), ordained the Prebend of Inver in 1611, and that of 
Kellymard in the same year; vacating Kellymard 1622 and 
Inver 1630, both in the Cathedral of Raphoe, on succeed- 
ing to the Deanery of Raphoe by patent of April 27 ; in- 
stalled June 22, 1630, when Dean Adair was consecrated 
Bishop of Killaloe 1629-30." He was born circa 1580; 
died September 3, 1660. 

Cotton errs in making him a sou of the Bishop of Argyle. 
Foster more accurately makes him a grandson. He settled 
at Mount Charles, County Donegal. Part of his estate he 
held by lease from the Earl of Annandale, part he took up 
on removing to Ireland, as Charles I. "gave letters patent of 
denization to Alexander Coningham, and 320 acres of land 
in Dromlogheran and Corcama in present of Portlagh, 
Barony of Raphoe, called the Manor of Rosse Conyngham." 
His preferment as Dean secured him the grant of Carro- 
hardvarne, Corleaugh-in-begg, Fodrialter, Fanedorke, Tul- 
lydonnill, etc. Part of his estate he acquired by marriage 
with Marian, daughter of John Murray, who is named in 
Pynnar's Survey of 1619, as owning all of Boylagh and Ba- 
nagh, County Donegal, the original property of the 
O'Boyles, Chiefs of the Clan Chindfaoldadh, of Tir Ainmi- 
reach, and of Tir Boghaine, territories which cover all the 
present Baronies of Boylagh and Banagh. 

Alexander Conyngham, Dean of Raphoe, is credited by 
Burke with having had twenty-seven sons and daughters, 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. / 

four of the sons reaching manhood, viz. : Alexander, who 
died during the life of his father ; George of Killenlesseragh, 
Esq., who died without male issue; Sir Albert, who was 
knighted and whose grandson became the Marquis Conyng- 
ham, of Mount Charles ; and William of Ballydavit, Esq. 

George Conyngham of Killenlesseragh, County Long- 
ford, by will dated May 5, 1684, probated November 25, 
1684, devised lands to his brother William Conyngham of 
Ballydavit, to his nephew Alexander of Aighan, and his 
brother Andrew ; and names his brother Sir Albert Conyng- 
ham. 

William Conyngham of Ballydavit, County Donegal, by 
will dated October 8, 1700, entails on his nephew Alexan- 
der of Aighan all his lands in County Donegal, with legacy 
to his niece Katherine Connolly, daughter of his brother 
Sir Albert, will sealed with the Conyngham arms, "a shake 
fork betiveen three mullets!' 

Alexander Conyngham of Aighan, gentleman, whose will 
is dated December 27, 1701, entails on his eldest son Rich- 
ard Conyngham of Dublin, merchant, all these lands, and 
the lands of Ballyboe, granted to Alexander by lease for- 
ever in 1669 by Richard Murray of Broughton, and on 
Richard's male heir, in default of which to his second son 
Andrew, and on his male heir, in default of which to said 
Richard's right heir. These very lands thus limited on 
Richard's right heirs are found in 1721 in the possession of 
Captain David Conyngham of Ballyherrin and Letterkenny, 
the son of Alexander Conyngham of Rosguil, whose will 
dated November 18, 1757, probated June 15, 1759, entails 
his estate on his son Redmond Conyngham of Philadelphia, 
whose will dated March 21, 1778, conveyed the estate to his 
son David Hayfield Conyngham, whose eldest son, Red- 
mond Conyngham of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, by law in- 
herited the estate, but at whose instance his father broke the 
entail, disposing of the estate for ^150,000. 



8 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

Alexander Conyngham of Rosguil, County Donegal, had 
among his ten children — 

I. Rev, William, Rector of Letterkenny, d. 1782,3591. 

-{- 2. Capt. David of Ballyherrin and Letterkenny, supra. 

3. Adam of Cranford, d. 1729, father of Captain John 

Conyngham, who served with Braddock, 1755, 
0/ whom later. 

4. Gustavus of Rosguil, father of Captain Gustavus 

Conyngham, U. S. Navy, 177 5- 178 3, of ivhom 
later. 

5. Alexander, who d. s. p. and left his estate to his 

nephews. 

6. Andrew. 

II. Captain David Conyngham of Ballyherrin and Letter- 
kenny, Ireland, had — 

-f 7. Redmond of Letterkenny, and Philadelphia, Pa. 

8. Isabella, married David Stewart, and had David, 

0/ whom later. 

9. Mary, married Rev. Thomas Plunkett, and had 

William Conyngham, Lord Chancellor of Ire- 
land, and Baron Plunkett ; and Captain David 
Plunkett of the American Army, of luhom later. 

10. Alexander, who died Philadelphia, Oct. 14, 1748. 

11. Hannah, married Rev. Oliver MacCausland, Rec- 

tor of Finlangen, of zv horn later. 

12. Catharine, married Colonel, Sir David Ross, whose 

only son, David Ross-Conyngham, was made 
the heir of Redmond C. pending the attainder 
of David H. Conyngham. 

13. Isabella Hanlon. 14. Martha A. 15. Margaret. 

16. Lydia. 17. Elizabeth. All of whom died 
single. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 9 

VII. Redmond Conyngham, Esq., b. Letterkenny, Ireland, 
1719; died there January 17, 1784, where he and his 
wife are buried. He married, Philadelphia, January 13, 
1749, Martha Ellis, born Philadelphia, February 13, 1731 ; 
died Derry, Ireland, April 15, 1768, daughter of Robert 
Ellis, Esq., of Philadelphia, and Catherine, his wife.^ 

"Died. April 15, 1768, Mrs. Martha Conyngham, the amiable and virtuous 
consort of Mr. Redmond Conyngham of this city, Merchant, departed this life 
at Londonderry, greatly and deservedly regretted by all who had the Pleasure 
of her Acquaintance, particularly her Relations and intimate Friends. And it 
may with Propriety be said on this affecting Occasion, 
" ' When such Friends part 
The Survivor dies.' " — Pa. Gazette, Aug. 11, lybS. 

Redmond Conyngham came to Philadelphia about 1 740, 
and established himself as a shipping merchant, in which 
business he became eminently successful. The published 
statement that he was a Quaker and emigrated in 1731, 
when only fifteen years old, is not correct, nor is it sustained 
by any family tradition. That he was a young man of wise 
judgment, thorough business habits, and possessed of an 
unusual knowledge of human nature, appears not only in 
his commercial success, but also in the character of his as- 
sociates and of those with whom he surrounded himself as 
employees. About 1748 he associated with himself in busi- 
ness Mr. Theophilus Gardner, under the firm name of Con- 
yngham & Gardner, which was dissolved probably the 
latter part of 175 1, when Mr. Gardner shipped goods to 
Londonderry in his own vessels. Mr. Gardner does not 
appear in the shipping list after 175 i. Among the appren- 

2. Robert Ellis, merchant and iron founder. He was a prominent man in early 
Philadelphia; Member of the Common Council Oct. 3, 1722-24; Member of Durham Iron 
Co., Bucks Co., 1727 — sold his product to the Moravians at Bethlehem; Grand Jury- 
man, Philadelphia, October, 1734 ; Member of Christ Church, and Vestryman 1719, 
1720, 1722-27, 1735. In 1741 he signed the appeal from the Wardens and Vestry that 
Rev. Richard Peters might succeed Rev. Archibald Cummings, who died April 19, 
1741, as Rector of Christ Church. He was Justice of Bucks Co, Dec. 17, 1745, and June 
30, 1749. (Davis' Bucks Co., 642-644; Shippen Papers, 12; Pa. Mag., XXI, 122; Pa. 
Arch., 2d S., 111,748.) 



lO CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

tices^ who entered Mr. Conyngham's counting room to learn 
the business by four years of service, and those to whom 
he entrusted his affairs, were such men as John Maxwell 
Nesbitt, his partner 1 759-1 784, and his brothers Alexander 
and Jonathan Nesbitt, all connected with his own family in 
Ireland ; Walter Stewart, another kinsman, apprenticed to 
him in 1772, who later became distinguished as Colonel in 
the Pennsylvania Line, brevet Brigadier General 1783, 
and Major General, Pennsylvania Militia 1794; David 
Stewart, his nephew ; David Plunkett, his nephew. Cap- 
tain in the Revolutionary Army ; and Gustavus Conyng- 
ham, his first cousin, the son of his uncle Gustavus, who 
came to Philadelphia 1763, and whose exploits as Captain 
in the U. S. Navy 1775-1783 are so well known; Andrew 
Stewart and others. The apprentice first named, John Max- 
well Nesbitt,* so impressed Mr. Conyngham by his fine 

3. Apprentices.— From the 15th centurj' Trade Guilds dominated the commercial 
life of Great Britain : skilled labor alone was recognized by these Guilds. By the 
"Statue of apprenticeship" (5th Eliz'h), no person could exercise any trade, craft or 
mystery then exercised in England unless he had previously served to it an appren- 
ticeship of seven years at least. The influence of this law was felt throughout the Col- 
onies as well until the middle of the last century. In commercial business four years 
became the limit in America. 

Anciently benchers in the Inns of Court were called ''apprentices of the law;" a 
medical bond before me at this writing, dated 1734, binds as "a« Apprentice and Ser- 
vant in the business of Physick Surgery and Pharmacy for six years," one of the most 
prominent physicians of the Revolutionary War. 

4. John Maxwell Nesbitt, b. Loughbrickland, County Down, Ireland, about 1730; d. 
unmarried, Philadelphia, January, 1802; will dated April 24, 1800; probated January 
25, 1802. He was the son of Jonathan Nesbitt of Loughbrickland, and his wife, sister 
of Alexander Lang, who in 1747, and later, was a shipping merchant in Philadelphia, 
where he died 1749. Mr. N. was one of a family of nine children— John Maxwell, Jon- 
athan, Alexander (all of whom came to Philadelphia), James and George (who had 
ands adjoining lands of J. M. N. in Pennsylvania), Frances, Sarah, Esther and Eliz- 
abeth Ann. To each of his sisters, Francis, Sarah and Elizabeth, and brother James, 
he gave by will $50 annually for life. The others probably dead 1802. He 'made 
D. H. Conyngham, his "friend and partner," his residuary legatee. The Nesbitt fam- 
ily of L. was probably connected with that of Redmond Conyngham. Alexander N., 
who went from Scotland to Ireland 16 — , married his cousin Alice, daughter of Rev. 
Alexander Conyngham, Dean of Raphoe, and their grandson George N. of Woodhill 
County Donegal, married Catherine, daughter of Capt. David Conyngham of Bally- 
davit. (Burke's Land. Gent., 1852, 938.) 

John Maxwell Nesbitt came to Philadelphia, sailing from Belfast in the ship of Capt. 
Faulkner, February, 1747, under the care and expense of his uncle Alexander Lang, 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. II 

business faculty and habits, that when he had completed 
his apprenticeship, about 1756, he took him into partner- 
ship under the firm name of Conyngham & Nesbitt. In 
1766 Mr. Conyngham, having firmly established his busi- 
ness and increased his estate, decided to return to his home 

who apprenticed him to Conyngham and Gardner to learn the shipping trade. Mr. 
Lang dying 1749, his father wrote him : "You can't yet be Sensible of your loss in so 
Dear a friend as your Uncle was wch you can only have made up by a Steady Trust in 
God. The true way to procure his protection and advice, Take heart and discharge 
your duty and Trust. Make no doubt that God will in Good Time promote your In- 
terest." 

This advice Nesbitt followed, as his successes prove. It was Mr. Lang's intention to 
take him from C. & G. into his own office, but his death preventing this change, he 
remained with Mr. Conyngham. He also brought his brothers, Jonathan and Alexan- 
der, to Philadelphia as apprentices to the same concern. His business qualifications 
and his integrity of character so commended him to Mr. C, that probably as early as 
1756 he was taken into partnership under the firm name of "Conyngham & Nesbitt." 
As early as 1756 the two owned and sailed ships in partnership, and in 1759 the "Han- 
nah" of 50 tons was registered as owned by "Conyngham and Nesbitt." After Mr. C. 
had returned to Ireland and D. H. C. was made a member of the firm, it was changed 
to Conyngham, Nesbitt & Co. During the war it was also J. M. Nesbitt & Co. In 
1783 D. H. C. signed the name C. N. & Co., but after the death of the senior member 
it became Conyngham & Nesbitt. 

Mr. Nesbitt filled many honored positions, social and official, in Pennsylvania. Orig- 
inal Member 'Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, 1771 ; Vice President May 1771— June 17, 
1773; President June 16, 1773— June 17, 17S2, and June 17, 1782— March, 1796; Member 
Hibernian Society 1790 and one of its founders; Member Com. Correspondence May 20, 
1774, State and County ; Deputy to the Provincial Convention July 15, 1774; Paymas- 
ter State Navy September 14, 1775; Treasurer to the Council of Safety July 27, 1776; 
of the State Battalion July 27, 1776 ; of the State Navy Board February 18, 1777; of the 
State Board for Land Service March— August, 1777; of theJEoard of War March 14, 
1777, &c.; appointed to settle accounts of the late Committee and Councilof Safety Dec. 
15. 1778 ; Member Republican Society March, 1779 ; Warden of the Port of Philadelphia 
October 7, 1788. His firm subscribed ^5,000 to the Pennsylvania Bank 1780, and he 
was elected an Inspector of the Bank. In 1781 he was one of the organizers and mem- 
ber Board of Directors of the Bank of North America until January 9, 1792. (v. Hist. 
Bank N. A.) In 1791 he was elected President Insurance Company of North America. 
For further mention of him see the Reminiscences. 

Part of the property willed by Mr. Nesbitt to Mr. Conyngham was in possession of 
Major Harry Gordon of the British Army, who was attainted of high treason as "Henry 
Gordon" by the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania March 20, 1781. It was 
patented to him for 1497 acres May 17, 1774, in Frankstown township, Bedford county, 
Pa., and confiscated in 1781. The Agents of Forfeited Estates sold this land in 1782 
to James Wood for ^2,008. Between the above dates Peace was proclaimed. In 1783 
the Executive Committee conveyed the 1497 acres to James Wood, he to J. M. Nesbitt, 
and Nesbitt by will devised it to D. H. Conyngham, whose claim was confirmed by 
the courts. (Yates' Penna. Reports, 3, 471.) 

In 1783 J. M. Nesbitt also bought 11 lots of land in Philadelphia county, forfeited es- 
tate of Andrew Elliott, for which he paid ^14,640; the President of the State gave the 
deed. (Col. Rec. 12, 646, 746.) This was property occupied by the firm of C. & N, 
on Front St., Philadelphia, 1783. 



12 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

in Ireland, where he held large landed interests, to end his 
days near his mother, then living, retaining, however, his 
interest in the shipping and importing house in Philadel- 
phia. An account of this return is given in the Reminis- 
cences. 

In February, 1775, his son David Hay field, having com- 
pleted the term of his apprenticeship, was made a partner 
in the house, when it is claimed that the name of the firm 
was changed to Conyngham, Nesbitt & Co. After the Rev- 
olutionary War was fully opened, it was deemed best, owing 
to the fact that the head of this important firm resided in 
Ireland, and the junior member was an active patriot, and 
soldier in the American Army, to alter the name to John 
M. Nesbitt & Co., under which title the firm continued 
business until the death of Mr. John M. Nesbitt, 1802. 
However this may be, papers of the house still exist that 
show the firm name to have been Conyngham & Nesbitt 
from 1764 until dissolved by the death of Mr. Nesbitt. 

Mr. Conyngham's shipping interests, doubtless begun on 
a small scale, soon developed into the ownership of vessels 
in which to ship his goods. The Philadelphia Ship Regis- 
ter shows that December 3, 1746, he registered his first 
vessel, the ship "Hamilton Galley," 100 tons, built Philadel- 
phia, owned by himself and William Hamilton of London- 
derry, Ireland, to whom she was consigned. The next ship 
registered was the "Prince William" of 90 tons, April 13, 
1748, owned by himself and Messrs. Gamble and William 
Hamilton, Londonderry. The ship "Culloden," 100 tons, 
followed November 21, 1750, owned by Conyngham & 
Gardner and the consignees, Alexander and Francis Knox, 
Londonderry; the "Isabella," 60 tons, 1750-1, by C. & 
G. ; the "Alexander," 70 tons, 1752, owned by himself and 
Alex. Knox, Londonderry; the "Hayfield," 100 tons, owned 
mainlyby himself and Mr. J. M. Nesbitt, in 1756; the "Han- 
nah," 55 tons, in 1759, owned by "Conyngham & Nesbitt;" 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 1 3 

the brigantine "Polly," a prize taken by the Privateer, "Pol- 
ly's Revenge," sailed under the ownership of Mr. C. and Mr. 
Nesbitt, 1760; the "New CuUoden," 150 tons, owned by C. 
& N. and John and Robert Knox of Londonderry, Dec. 
14, 1761 ; the brig "Hayfield," 80 tons, and the ship "Rain- 
bow," 100 tons, both owned mainly by Messrs. Conyngham 
& Nesbitt; and finally the ship "Hayfield," 80 tons, and the 
ship "John and Mary," 100 tons, registered October, 1765. 
These vessels, all but two built in Philadelphia, formed a 
part of the shipping fleet of the house from 1746 to 1766, 
when Mr. C. sailed in the "Hayfield" for Ireland. The 
"Charming Peggy," which, in 1775, Captain Gustavus Con- 
yngham commanded, and in which Mr. D. H. Conyngham 
sailed to Ireland, was doubtless the Privateer of that name 
commissioned as a Letter of Marque December 5, 1758. 

The Philadelphia "Ship Registers," 1726-1776, published 
in Penn. Arch., 2d S., II. 331-371, and Penna. Mag. Hist, 
XXII. et scg., do not appear to give all the vessels owned 
by Philadelphia shippers, nor all the Privateers and Letters of 
Marque that were sent out by them during the wars of that 
period. The Council of Safety, November 13, 1776, grant- 
ed a commission to Thomas Bell, commander of the ship 
"Speedwell," navigated by 25 men, 10 carriage guns, owned 
by John Maxwell Nesbitt & Co. Mr. Conyngham, in the 
following pages, mentions several vessels and " Letters of 
Marque of from 4 to 30 guns, as sent out by the firm ;" 
but the only vessels owned by them and sailed as privateers, 
the names of which have been preserved, were the "Speed- 
well," the "Charming Peggy," the "Revenge," the "Nes- 
bitt," the "Shillalah," and the "Renette," all of which are 
noted in the Reminiscences. 

In 1 76 1 Mr. Conyngham and other merchants in Phila- 
delphia appealed to Governor Hamilton for the erection of 
piers in some suitable place in the Delaware River to pro- 
tect their vessels from ice during the winter. The Governor 



14 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

sent a special message to the Provincial Council, February 
25, 1761, strongly urging prompt action in the matter, and 
proposing appropriating to the purpose the money to be 
secured by the sale of the Provincial Ship of war. An act 
was passed March 14, 1761, and enlarged February 17, 
1762, in accordance with the Governor's message. (Stat, 
at Large, VI. 74, 176; Col. Rec, VIII. 574.) 

Mr. Conyngham was progressive in his ideas, fond of the 
beautiful, and stimulated others to improvement by adorn- 
ing his own property. His home was at No. 96 Front 
street, between Walnut and Spruce, and his shipping house 
No. 94, adjoining. Here the family lived while in the city 
until 1802. Watson states that "there was once a range of 
beautiful sloping gardens declining from Front street houses 
into Dock Creek, so as to be seen by passengers along the 
west side of Dock street. They belonged to Steadman, 
Conyngham and others. They were seen by T. Matlack 
and such aged persons. Conyngham's garden, as it existed 
in 1746 in the ownership of Redmond Conyngham, Esq., 
was peculiarly beautiful ; it had stone steps, descending into 
the Dock Creek, to which was chained a pleasure boat 
always ready for excursions and fishing parties.^ The man- 
sion was the same now [1842] No. 96 South Front street." 
(i, 494.) Mr. Conyngham was a signer of the Non-Impor- 
tation Agreement, prepared and signed October 25, 1765, 
as a protest against the Stamp Act by the Philadelphia 
merchants. 

Mr. Conyngham was in religion a Churchman, his family 

5. "The land about Dock street at the Draw Bridge was originally a swamp, and 
was intended to be granted to the city, on the 25th of October, 1701, with liberty to dig 
docks and make harbors there. Before that time, through inadvertance, it had been 
patented to John Marsh. John Penn afterwards, about 1758, to his enduring credit, 
purchased it from Marsh and presented it to the city, as was intended by the charter." 
(T. Ward.) In his Reminiscences Mr. C. mentions having passed up the Dock to above 
Third street, and having unloaded goods from flat boats in Second street. For the 
account of the filling up of Dock Creek and the opening of Dock street see Westcott, 
433. 2147-8. 



CONYNGHAM REMIMSCEN'CES. I5 

having been for over a century members, among them clergy- 
men, of the Established Church of Ireland, Protestant Epis- 
copal. When he removed to Philadelphia, having been 
confirmed in the Church in Letterkenny, he attached him- 
self to Christ Church, where he was elected for twelve years, 
1 754- 1 766, a Vestryman, and from Easter, 1754, to Easter, 
1759, a Warden of the Church, and here his eldest son re- 
ceived baptism. In 175 1 he was one of the subscribers for 
"the building of the steeple and providing bells for the 
Church." A lottery was held in 1752 to secure money for 
the purpose, and the bells were hung in 1754. In that year 
he, with other members of Christ Church, presented to the 
Proprietaries a petition stating that the members of the 
Church of England had grown so numerous in Philadelphia 
that Christ Church could not seat more that one-half of 
them, and praying for the grant of a lot on Third street for 
another church and yard for that purpose. The grant was 
promptly made, and in 175S the Vestry of Christ Church 
unanimously agreed to erect the new church by subscrip- 
tions. Mr. Conyngham was appointed, with six others, a 
committee to receive and care for the funds, and to prepare 
a plan and an estimate for the building. He was also one 
of the committee to supervise the work. 

In 1759 he and Evan Morgan signed as Wardens the pe- 
tition to the Bishop of London for the induction of Rev. 
Jacob Duche, Jr., as Assistant Minister of the Church. In 
1 76 1, as Vestryman, he participated in the opening of St. 
Peter's Church, of which he was also named a Vestryman 
in the Charter of the "United Churches of Christ Church and 
St. Peter's Church," 1765. 

In person Mr, Conyngham was of medium height, but 
stout, courtly in manner and active in movement. He en- 
joyed the social pleasures of the day, as his name appears 
in a list of subscribers for the first Assembly held in Phila- 
delphia, 1748 (Shippen Papers 7). Watson states (I. 211): 



1 6 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

"It may illustrate the uses of street porches to say that in 1762-3 
sundry gentlemen, and especially the officers, took the name of Lu- 
narians, because of their walking the streets of moonlight evenings, 
and stopping to talk socially with the families sitting in their porches. 
I have seen a letter of July, 1763, by Redmond Conyngham, Esq., of 
Philadelphia, to Col. James Burd, then at Juniata Fort, wherein he 
says : 'The Lunarians met in the evening at the corner of Walnut and 
Water streets, most of the officers and their wives were present. We 
drank your health, and experienced the want of your many Indian 
anecdotes.' " 

In a letter to James Burd of July i, 1755, Mr. C. writes : 
"Yesterday your Brothers and Sisters of the Luna Club 
assembled at the Terry and drank your Health, we shou'd 
be mighty glad to see you once more among us." Thus 
the Luna Club had its origin nearly ten years before the 
date given by Mr. Watson. 

In 1756 he contributed ^32 to the Pennsylvania Hospi- 
tal, and in 1763 was a subscriber to the Mount Regale 
Fishing Company, being No. 5 on the list. He was also in 
1763 a member of the Fishing Company of Fort St. Davids. 
These were among the social clubs of that time, comprising 
the elite of the city. 

Mr. Conyngham died possessed of a large landed estate 
both in Ireland and Pennsylvania, entailed on his son Da- 
vid Hayfield, with reversion, should the law of attainder de- 
bar the latter, to his grandson David Ross, on assuming 
the Conyngham name. David Ross died before the grand- 
father. The attainder was removed through the influence 
of Lord Plunket, and the estate was enjoyed by D. H. 
Conyngham until the entail was broken by him. His will 
names among others the Irish estates of the Ballyboes of 
Scott Glencairrn and Windy Hall, Auchallatty, Gortna- 
brade, Largyreagh, Derry Casson, Dragh, Bar of Downing, 
O'Hanlon's Manor, and many houses in Letterkenny. 

Mr. Conyngham and five sons and seven daughters. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 1/ 

David Hayfield Conyngham, eldest son of Mr. Red- 
mond Conyngham, and the author of these Reminiscences, 
was born, Philadelphia, March 21, 1750; baptized in Christ 
Church in that city by Rev. Robert Jenny, LL. D., Rector, 
Monday, April 23, 175 1. Sponsors,^ Mr. Matthias Hayfield 
and Dr. John Kearsley, Jr. He died, Philadelphia, March 
3, 1834, eighteen days before he would have completed his 
84th year, and was buried in Christ Church yard, corner of 
5th and Arch streets, March 5, 1834. He was married by 
Rev. William Smith, D. D., Whitemarsh, Pa., December 4, 

1779, to Mary West, b. ; d. Philadelphia, August 27, 

1820, daughter of William West,^ a prominent merchant of 
Philadelphia, and his wife Mary Hodge, daughter of Wil- 
liam Hodge, Jr.,^ and his wife Eleanor Wormley. 

Mr. Conyngham received his early education in the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania Academy, where he was entered in 
the Latin School 1757, and studied until May, 1766, when 
he sailed with his father in the ship "Hayfield" for Ireland, 
where he spent two years at Trinity College, Dublin, under 

6. Mr. Matthias Hayfield, probably a friend of Mr. Conyngham in Ireland, as 
his name cannot be found in any connexion with America. He was a sponser by 
proxy. He is named in the Family Bible and Christ Church Records without residence. 

Dr. John Kearsley, Jr., nephew of Dr. John Kearsley, the eminent physician 
and the architect of Christ Church, was a loyalist, banished to Carlisle 1775, where he 
died. (Sabine's Loyalists, I. 597; Westcott, 301: Watson, II. 388; Graydon.) Mr. 
Conyngham records having rescued him from the mob. 

7. William West of Ireland had— i. Francis West, Justice of Cumberland Co., Pa., 
July 13, 1757, who had issue; 2. William West, supra ; 3. Ann West, b. 1733, m. Her- 
manns Alricks, Justice of Cumberland Co., 1749-1770, &c. (Egle's Pa. Gens. 15.) 

8. William Hodge of Ireland, who died January 4, 1723, and Margaret, his wife, 
who died October 15, 1730, had three sons, who came to Philadelphia shortly after 
their mother's death, about 1731. i. William, Jr., who married Mary West, supra; 
3. Andrew, Sr. ; 3. Hugh, whose widow Hannah was recognized in all the city as a 
"Mother in Israel," and who left his estate to Princeton College after the death of'his 
widow. 

Andrew Hodge, Sr., had, among 15 children, Captain William Hodge, Jr., one of 
the U. S. Agents in France, 1776-1779, in connexion with the Conynghams, and of 
whom see later, Captain Andrew Hodge, Jr.. Pa. Line, 1776, and Dr. Hugh Hodge, 
Surgeon 3d Pa. Batt., 1776, the fatherof that eminent theologian, Charles Hodge, D.D.. 
LL. D., of Princeton, whose sons Alexander A. Hodge, D. D., and Francis B. Hodge, 
D. D., were both for years pastors First Presbyterian Church Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and 
Vice Presidents of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, {v. Family History 
and Reminiscences; Hugh L. Hodge, M. D., LL. D, 1903.) 



iS CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

the guardianship of his kinsman, Capt. John Conyngham, 
returning April, 1768, to Philadelphia to begin his appren- 
ticeship in the shipping house of Conyngham & Nesbitt. 
His time expiring in 1772, he sailed for Europe, probably 
as a Secret Agent of the United States to visit France, Por- 
tugal and Great Britain, returning in 1774, "having," as he 
says in his Reminiscences, "added in his humble capacity 
to the character of America." 

Finding then that separation from the mother country 
was imminent, he early decided to take the part of Amer- 
ica, and joining the Volunteers in the company of Captain 
John Cadwallader, served as a soldier. This was the com- 
mand organized by Captain Cadwallader in 1774, after the 
passage of the Boston Port Bill, and called "The Greens," 
the first company of militia in the State.^ 

In 1775 he became a member of the firm of Conyngham, 
Nesbitt & Co. The foreign business of the house in that 
year required his presence once more in Europe. He sailed 
September 10, 1775, in the brig "Charming Peggy," owned 
by the firm, with Jonathan Nesbitt as supercargo, and Cap- 
tain Gustavus Conyngham as master ; probably the vessel 
of that name commissioned as a Letter of Marque Decem- 
ber 5, 1778. (Pa. Mag. XXVI. 399.) The vessel was laden 
with flaxseed, and was to return with powder and other 
needful things for the Colony. Having sold his cargo, he 
left the "Charming Peggy," whose capture and later escape 
is narrated by Captain Conyngham in his Narrative. (Pa. 
Mag. Hist. XXII. 486.) Mr. Conyngham then proceeded 

9. "The Quakers went so far," says Mr. Graydon in his Memoirs, 123, "as to form 
a company of light infantry under the command of Mr. Copperthwaite, which was 
called 'The Quaker Blues,' and instituted in a spirit of competition with 'The Greens,' 
or, as they were sneeringly styled, 'The Silk Stocking; Company,' commanded by Mr. 
John Cadwallader, and which having early associated had already acquired celebrity. 
The command of this company, consisting of the flower of the city, was too fine a 
feather in the cap of its leader to be passed by unenvied. It was therefore branded as 
an aristocratic assemblage. * * * * To this association I belonged. There were 
about 70 of us." Watson says there was a hill on Second street in the rear of the Lox- 
ley house, now (1857) Girard's houses, where the Greens used to drill, i, 412. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 1 9 

to Paris and remained there until 1777, becoming an im- 
portant, but secret, factor in the services of his cousin, Capt. 
Gustavus, whose second commission he obtained from 
FrankHn. At an outlay of ^10,000 he assisted in fitting out 
the "Revenge," of which Captain Gustavus took command.*" 
"The French Government, receiving information of the 
fitting out of the " Revenge," demanded sureties, and An- 
drew Hodge [William Hodge, Jr.] and David H. Conyngham 
became responsible for the peaceable conduct of the vessel. 
When Conyngham entered upon his privateering voyage, 
Hodge was thrown in the Bastile, and D. H. Conyngham, 
by the mangement of his father's great friend, Dr. Franklin, 
was sent off with despatches, and thus escaped the Bastile." 
(Redmond Conyngham in Hazard's Reg.,V. 402 ; also infra.) 

10. Captain Gustavus Conyngham, U. S. N., 1744-1819. So much has already been 
published about this gallant Naval officer that an extended notice of him is not needed 
here. Hazard's Register of Pennsylvania, 1830 (V. 400, 401, 415 ; VI. 28, 36-3S, 55-50) 
contains many interesting incidents and thrilling experiences in his career from his 
own pen and that of his cousin, Redmond Conyngham, Esq., of Lancaster, Pa. His 
diary, 1777-1779, appears in the Pa. Mag. Hist., XXII. 479-488. Mr. James Barnes in 
his work, "With the Flag in the Channel, or the Adventures of Capt. Gustavus Con- 
yngham," 1902, and in "The Tragedy of the Lost Commission," Outlook, 1803, pp. 
71-83, and Mr. Charles Henry Jones, Philadelphia, in his admirable sketch, "Captain 
Gustavus Conyngham," published 1903 under the auspices of the Pa. S. of R., have 
given much material for an extended biography, and yet the published history of the 
man is incomplete. Rev. Edward Everett Hale, in his "Franklin in France," I. 342, 
et seq.y and the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, also give 
moredata. Some years ago Mr. Henry Phillips, Jr.. Sec. Am. Philosoph. Soc, Phila- 
delphia, wrote me requesting the consent of the family to his preparing a sketch of 
his Life, as he possessed his Diary. Mr. Phillips died without completing his sketch, 
and the Diary passed into the hands of Charles Henry Hart, Esq., who has since de- 
clined to dispose of it to the family. In view of these facts this note will be confined 
to points of the history of Capt. Conyngham not yet referred to in other accounts. 

Captain Gustavus Conyngham was the son of Gustavus of Largyreagh, Gent., 
whose wife was a daughter of Gabriel Conyngham, hence the nephew of Capt. David 
Conyngham of Letterkenny, who was the grandfather of the author of these Reminis- 
censes. By the will of his uncle Alexander of Largyreagh, Gustavus was possessed 
of the lands of Dragh and Bar of Downing, which he sold to his cousin Redmond C. 
of Philadelphia, who names them in his will. He was born, Ireland, 1744 ; died, Phil- 
adelphia, November27, 1819, aged 76, and with his wife was buried in St. Peter's Church- 
yard, Philadelphia. He was married, Christ Church, by Rev. Richard Peters, October 
23. 1773. to Ann Hockley, born January, 1757, died February 25, iSri, aged 54 years, 2 
months. 

He was sent to Philadelphia in 1763 by his uncle Rev. William Conyngham of 
Letterkenny to the care of his nephew, Redmond Conyngham, as an apprentice. 



20 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

From Paris he went to Bordeaux, purchased goods to be 
sent home, via Martinique, and medical stores for General 
Washington. In 1779 he returned home by way of the 
West Indies, and had his second shipwreck described in his 
Reminiscences. 

Mr. Conyngham was elected a member of the First 
Troop of Philadelphia City Cavalry March, 1777. He 
served in the campaigns of September, 1779; ^^ Somerset, 
New Jersey, June, 1780; in January, 1781, during the 
revolt of the Pennsylvania troops, and in the Whiskey In- 
surrection of Pennsylvania, 1794. In the defence of Fort 
Wilson he participated actively. During the revolt of the 
Pennsylvania troops General Wayne detached him with two 
others to watch the actions of the British sloop of war 
"Vulture," near Perth Amboy, and their troops on Staten 
Island, In 1794 he was promoted 3d Sergeant of the 
Troop, in 1796 2d Sergeant, and June 19, 1798, was made 
an Honorary Member. As he narrates in his Reminiscen- 

"Mr. Conyngham thought that nature, or rather his natural genius, pointed out the 
sea as the element on which he was to live, and therefore placed him in a vessel of 
his own under the command of Capt. Henderson, Master." Probably the "Charming 
Peggy" of 50 tons, Robert Henderson, master, registered December 21, 1763, in the 
Antigua trade. With this ship he remained, learning the business of navigation, until 
Henderson's death, when he was promoted to the command of the ship "Molly." He 
remained in the same occupation until the Revolutionary War, when, Septemberio, 
1775, he was sent to Ireland on the "Charming Peggy," with Jonathan Nesbitt as 
supercargo, and D. H. Conyngham as representing the house of Conyngham & Nes- 
bitt. The rest of his remarkable history is told in the publications referred to supra. 

In 1783 Captain Conyngham made application to Congress for a renewal of his com- 
mission in the regular Navy, with the following result : 

"On the report of a Committee consisting of Mr. Lee, Mr. Williamson and Mr. El- 
lery, to whom was referred a memorial from Gustavus Conyngham, praying for the 
renewal of a commission of captain in the navy of the United States received from the 
commissioners in Paris in 1777 and left by him, or to be reinstated in his former situa- 
tion. Resolved, That the prayer of the said memorialist cannot be granted, such com- 
missions being intended for temporary expeditions only, and not to give rank in the 
navy." (Journals of Congress, 1784, p. 181.) 

After the War Captain Conyngham returned to his occupation as a Sea Captain, 
residing until his death at 63 Lombard street, Philadelphia. 

lu 181 7 he was a member of the Common Council of Philadelphia, and one of three 
members appointed to aid in securing a loan of 130,000 from the citizens to be used in 
defence of the city. (Vide note 19; also notes on William Hodge, Jr., and Jonathan 
Nesbitt, infra.) 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 21 

ces, he declined the appointment of Aid-de-Camp to Gen- 
eral Stewart, and in 1794 to General Hand. 

Mr. Conyngham was elected a member of the Friendly- 
Sons of St. Patrick 1775. In 1790 he was elected a Trus- 
tee of the College of Philadelphia, and in 1791 a Trustee of 
the University of Pennsylvania, holding the office until his 
resignation in 18 13. He was also a member of the Hiber- 
nia Fire Company. 

The business interests of Conyngham, Nesbitt & Co. had 
led Mr. Conyngham to make a number of visits to Great 
Britain and the Continent, and to the West Indies, 1775- 
1783. Early in the year 1807 the affairs of his cousins, the 
shipping firm of Francis and John West, made it necessary 
that he should visit Kentucky, and later his own and the 
landed interest of his firm drew him to Luzerne County. 

Mr. David H. Conyngham hved, until 1766, in the house 
occupied by his father, at No. 96 Front street, Conyngham 
and Nesbitt occupying No. 94 adjoining. In 1783 he lived 
at "Woodford," on the Ridge Road, four miles from his 
place of business. It was at his house at "Woodford" that 
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morris took refuge in June, 1783, 
when Congress hastily adjourned to Princeton on account 
of the threatened riot of the disbanded Pennsylvania militia. 
{v. Reminiscences.) A distance of four miles from Front 
street would place "Woodford" in Fairmount Park. Some 
years later he erected the large double stone house on the 
"Old Germantown Road," now Germantown Avenue, or 
Main Street, No. 4639, opposite the old Bringhurst House, 
and named it "Clermonte," after one of his ancestral Irish 
places. Mr. Ward states that William Forbes was the 
"builder" of this dwelling. Here Mr. Conyngham lived un- 
til his death as his summer house, and here he dispensed a 
most generous hospitality; his shipping house, and town 
residence, No. 109 South Fourth street, where he lived 
1826, were also friendly resorts for strangers from Ireland 



22 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

and France. "In 1844 the family of the late Isaiah Hacker 
purchased 'Clermonte' and have occupied it ever since." 
Mr. Conyngham was a contributor to the Pennsylvania 
Hospital, 1766. In his advancing years, realizing the value of 
his varied experiences in foreign and home travel to the mem- 
bers of his family, he began to prepare his very interesting 
Reminiscences covering a period of nearly 80 years of the 
early history of the United States. Much of this was doubt- 
less written by himself, as will appear in the foot-note on 
the capture and execution of the two spies in 1781, which is 
there given as he personally wrote it to illustrate his style of 
narrative. But in his 83d year he brought together what he 
had prepared, and dictating the facts to an amanuensis, 
largely destroyed his original drafts. The manuscript of 
the amanuensis becoming much worn by use, was copied 
for the family, and having no further use for it as a manu- 
script, it was destroyed. 

The Reminiscences are published now for the first time. 
As they were written at an advanced age and with no at- 
tempt at chronological exactness or arrangement, the editor 
has made but little effort to change their sequence. In the 
copy prepared by the amanuensis they begin with the au- 
thor's visit to Kentucky, 1807, which is here placed at the 
end, and where it is possible the exact date of an incident 
has been inserted. 

Mr. Conyngham had five sons and five daughters. 

He was the father of Hon. Redmond Conyngham of 
Lancaster, Pa., and of Hon. John Nesbitt Conyngham, LL. 
D., the eminent President Judge of Luzerne county from 
1839 to 1870, a distinguished and beloved citizen of Wilkes- 
Barre, Pa., and President of the Wyoming Historical and 
Geological Society, of which Society his son, Col. John But- 
ler Conyngham, U. S. V., was one of the Founders, 1858. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES, 23 



REMINISCENCES. 



REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

This should be the first of my Reminiscenses, although 
began after my entering my 83d year, and if I am able to 
state circumstances aright, it might be called the "Chapter 
of Accidents." I shall start from leaving school [Philadel- 
phia] in the first class of the Latin School (Mr. Beveridge 
our master)/^ and sailing with my father and family, in the 
ship " Hayfield," Captain Mackey, for Londonderry,^^ Ire- 
land, May 26, 1766, as a boy. 

I was delighted and pleased with our voyage. Whales 
being then plenty on our coast, saw several schooners em- 
ployed in killing and saving them, also a thrasher, and, as 
told by the sailors, a sword-fish fighting one ; also a large 
island of ice, remembers its appearance. Arrived] in the 
harbour of Lough Foyle on the 24th of June, when a beau- 

11. John Beveridgk, M. A., Professor of Languages and Chief Master in the Latin 
and Greek Schools, Philadelphia Academy, 1751-1767. (v. notices of him in Gray- 
don's "Memoirs," 1846, pp. 35-59, and Montgomery's "History of the University of 
Pennsylvania.") 

D. H. Conyngham entered the Philada. Academy 1757, aged 7. His younger brother 
Alexander entered 1760, but died Nov. 2, 1763, aged 10. The "History" also gives, p. 
535, as entered by Redmond Conyngham 1760, "Robert Conyngham." Who this was 
is not known. The only Robert in the family connexion was his son Robert, named for 
Robert Ellis, born April 20, 1761, died Oct. 25, 1763. Mr. Conyngham is credited in the 
same book with entering as students, Samuel Brown, 175S ; Thomas Dunscombe, 1757; 
Richard Hutchinson, 1758; Francis Moore, 1754; Joseph Scull, 1765; John Tinker, 
1759- Were these proteges whom he was educating ? 

12. "Ship 'Hayfield,' Master William Mackey, of 80 tons, registered Phila. Oct. 9, 
1765, where she was built, owned by Messrs. Redmond Conyngham and John Maxwell 
Nesbitt, Merchants of Philada." (Pa. Mag. His. XXVH. 353, 365.) 

Francis Hopkinson, Esq., the eminent patriot, accompanied Mr. Conyngham on 
this voyage by invitation. The ship sailed from New Castle, Del., May 26, and reached 
Londonderry June 27, 1766. (Pa. Mag. Hist., II. 316 ; XXVII. 353, 365.) 



24 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

tiful sight from bonfires'' kindled on every hill made the 
shore delightful. Landed all in safety and lodged with Mr. 
Gamble." Remembers the time with pleasure; and his 
leaving his father's house on returning to America with re- 

13. Bonfires. — Francis Hopkinson, Esq., who sailed with Mr. Conyngham, wrote 
of this to his mother, July 2, 1766 : 

"It was remarkable that the night we left New Castle the Town was illuminated on 
the joyful occasion of the Stamp Act's being repealed, and the first night we entered 
our Harbour in Ireland was Midsummer Night, at which time it is a never failing cus- 
tom among the Irish to illuminate their whole country with large fires kindled here and 
there among the mountains. A few days after our arrival Mrs. Conyngham went to 
Letterkenny, a little village about 15 miles from Derry, where Mr. Conyngham's mother 
livesand where his Estate lies." (Pa. Mag. Hist., II. 317.) 

Some years ago the late Mr. Townseud Ward wrote me of this custom thus : "The 
Balefires, as they are called, are of a most ancient origin, indeed so remote as once to 
have been in honour of the God Baal, or Beelzebub, as he is sometimes called. They 
formed, it is thought, a part of the ceremonies of the worship practised in their groves 
by the Druids, who had swept across Asia and Europe, and who at one time were so 
potential in the British Islands. The Second Book of Kings, Chap. XXL, says Manas- 
seh 'reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, * * • and made his son pass through 
the fire.' Eighteen hundred years ago Pliny, in his Natural History, says : 'Britain at 
this day celebrates the magic rites with so many similar ceremonies, that you might 
suppose them to have been given to them by the Persians.' " 

"A writer in the Gentleman's Mag., February, 1795, relates that he was told, as to the 
ceremonies observed on the occasion of the summer solstice, "That we should see at mid- 
night the most singular sight in Ireland, which was the lighting of fires in honour of 
the sun. Accordingly, exactly at midnight, the fires began to appear ; and taking the 
advantage of going up to the leads of the house, which had a widely extended view, I 
saw on a radius of thirty miles, all around, the fires burning on every eminence which 
the country afforded. I had a farther satisfaction in learning, from undoubted author- 
ity, that the people danced round the fires ^ and at the close went through these fires, 
and made their sons and daughters, together with their cattle, pass the fire ; and the 
whole was conducted with religious solemnity." In Philadelphia, I have seen, when 
a youth, such fires built in the streets by the boys, who, in turn, would jump through 
them, and I am told the custom still continues, thus there is preserved here a lingering 
trace of the practices connected with an ancient faith. The name of the God Baal is 
preserved wherever the prefix Bal or Bel is found, as in Bealtine, the feast of May-day, 
Baltimore, Belfast, Balmoral, Baltinglass, the Baltic, and many other names." 

A fetter from Tentore, Balla Colla, Queens Co., Ireland, March 8, 1S82, describes the 
custom now in vogue : 

"I am told by an excellent authority that they still make bonfires on St. John's Eve, 
the 24th of June, and collect around them in great numbers to dance and amnse them- 
selves. He says he never saw them pass through the fires or cause their cattle to do 
so, but that is not saying they would not do it if the police were not always there pre- 
tending they came for the dancing. The Northern Irish call these fires bonefires, and 
say they were first built to burn the bones of Protestant martyrs, but when I cannot find 
out. These same fires have been used for signals in several rebellions, and conse- 
quently have in a measure died out, but they are still very numerous." 

14. Mr. Gamble, at whose house he lodged, was doubtless Mr. Henry Gamble, the 
consignee of Conyngham. & Nesbitt. 



CONVNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 25 

gret and cause. Went up to Newry to sail for America in 
company with Andrew Stewart/^ also going out as an ap- 
prentice to Mr. Nesbitt;^^ sailed in April, 1768, and went 
around Ireland, North, seeing the coast, and not getting 
clear of Achill Head for 10 or 12 days. A severe passage 
brought us out to the coast of America; and upon "land" 
being called out, went up to the top gallant yard with 
Lyons, our boatswain, who said it was five leagues off. 
Came down and went to dinner, and our Captain ordered 
Mr. Dobbins, our Mate, to sound, who called out fourteen 
fathoms. 

A pudding being on the table, we stayed to eat it, and 
on going upon deck, the ship struck the bar at Egg Har- 
bor. We got out the boats and landed on what I think 
was the Harbor, and Tucker's Beach.'^ Resting the first 
night under some fishing boats hauled on shore to save us 
from a severe thunder gust, got up the next day to main 
land and hired a waggon to Philadelphia. The ship was 
a real loss to our house, having no insurance. She was 
called the "Sally," ^^ Moses Rankin, master. 

Served my apprenticeship for four years and went to 
Europe in 1772. (See travels, etc., in another sheet.) Re- 
turning as there mentioned, was driven on shore at Cape 
Henry, which was my second fate or shipwreck. The third 
was on returning from Ireland in 1812 or 13, in the ship 
"John Watson," Captain Sanderson, of New York, with 
seventy passengers on board. Had a fine run to the Gulf 

15. Andrew Stewart, born Ireland; apprentice to Mr. John M.Nesbitt 1768. What 
subsequently became of him the annotator cannot learn. 

16. V. Note 3. 

17. Tucker's Beach, now Tuckerton, in Little Egg Harbor Bay, Burlington Co., 
N. J. Tucker's Beach was oncea noted seashore resort for Philadelphians before Long 
Branch was known as such. (Watson's Annals of Philada., II. 463.) This was Mr. 
Conyngham's first shipwreck. 

18. Ship "Sally," Not in Register, 1768. Moses Rankin was Capt. of the ship 
"Minerva," 70 tons, Registered Phila. Nov. 22, 1768. (Pa. Arch., 2d S., II. 651.) 



26 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

stream, and then baffling winds and weather, and nearing 
New York Harbor, were all in high spirits in expectation 
of being on shore next day. We went to our berths, when 
about one o'clock, it raining and blowing fresh easterly, 
the watch cried out " Land and Light." Upon sounding, 
found 17^4 fathoms, with broken shells and blue ground, 
which, remembering what the fishermen told me when on 
a trip with my boys to Long Branch, I told the Captain we 
were there, and that he should put about the ship. Before 
time could be had she struck the beach, and a dreadful 
scene we had, but kept sail on her, and then cut away main 
and mizen masts, keeping the foremast with sails to press 
her on, I never saw a more severe and distressing scene, 
but cannot enter into all the particulars. We reached 
shore after daylight and went up to McKnight's. Hiring a 
waggon, got up with my small baggage, having no goods, 
and found my family well at Germantown, after hearing 
from me by express I had sent on before me. Surely I 
ought to be thankful to God for his mercies while my fac- 
ulties are spared me. 

I recollect [1778-1779] seeing Count D'Estaing when he 
came out from the American coast with his fleet. Saw seven 
ships of the Line pass by St. Pierre, Martinique, and go on 
to Fort Royal, where again I saw them at anchor [about 
Dec. II, 1778]. Captain Gustavus Conyngham^' being then 
there in the " Revenge" ^"^ Cutter was called upon and in- 

19. Captain Gustavus Conyngham. v. Note 10. 

20. Cutter "Revenge."— Some interesting facts relating to the "Revenge" and 
its last cruise under Conyngham, not heretofore mentioned, but presenting a view 
of the profit and loss of Privateering in 1779 are revealed in the Official Correspond- 
ence about this famous cutter in the Pa. Archives. 

Mr. Charles Henry Jones, in his Sketch of Capt. Conyngham, p. 23, notes the fact 
that Conyngham left Kuropean waters in the "Revenge," sailing to Martinique, and 
thence to Phila., where he arrived in February, 1779. The "Revenge" was owned by 
the U. S. Congress, J. M. Nesbitt & Co. and Andrew Hodge, Sr., of Phila. The Ma- 
rine Committee of Congress wished to send her to sea for the Continent. J. M. Nesbitt & 
Co. wished to use her as a Privateer, and the Executive Council was eager to buy 
or hire her as a Guarda Costa to act in concert with the "General Greene." The 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 2/ 

troduced to Count D'Estaing on board the "Languedoc" of 
90 guns, and went out; after looking at the English Fleet 
under Commodore Barrington,^^ returned and reported 

Council appointed Blair McClennahan to ascertain her value and fitness, reporting 
promptly and secretly. Owing to these complications Congress, March 12, ordered 
her to be sold at public sale March 17, 1779. Mr. McClennahan reported her value 
at ^30,000 to ^40,000, and Council authorized him to buy her even at ^45,000. She 
was purchased March 17 by J. M. Nesbitt & Co. at a higher fignre. On March 31 the 
Assembly resolved to charter the "Revenge" for a three months' cruise with the "Gen- 
eral Greene," and application was made to her owners for terms, &c. Nesbitt & Co. 
replied April 2 with these propositions : 

" Capt. Conyngham to retain command with his own officers, he knowing better 
than anyone else how to manage such a vessel, and there being no doubt of his bra- 
very. The state to insure the cutter at the price she cost the present owners, to return 
her in as good condition as they receive her, or to pay all damages ; and to pay her 
owners at the rate of ^10,000 per month while in the service." 

These were named as the lowest terms, as the house preferred using her on their 
own private account, this being the best season for cruising. The house proposed to 
man the cutter by giving the crew three-fourths of all commissioned vessels taken and 
one-half of Letters of Marque and merchantmen unarmed ; advising not to give a larger 
share of prize money to the crew, as the State's share of such money would more than 
doubly repay all expenses — the oflicers and men to have the customary wages, each 
seaman $100 in advance, each landsman J50 or more, to be deducted from wages or 
prize money, &c. Council accepted these terms April 3d, with minor changes, and 
preparations were made to seal the contract, but, owing to some misunderstanding, 
Conyngham sailed away with the "Revenge" by the 15th, and the Council abandoned 
its purpose to charter. (Pa. Arch. VII. pp. 281, 2S8, 318, 319.) The "General Greene" 
cost the State ^53,057.11.0. The "Revenge" was captured by the British frigate "Ga- 
latea," near New York, and the Captain was thrown into prison, as told in his narra- 
tive. (Pa. Mag. His., XXII. 4S7. v. also Note on Capt. William Hodge, Jr., infra.) 

21. Admiral Samuel Barrington, 1729-1S00. v. Dictionary of National Biog., Ste- 
phen's, III. 291, which states Barrington captured St. Lucia Dec. 13, 1778. "On the 
14th he had news of D'Estaing's approach, and the enemy's fleet, with a crowd of 
smaller shipping, was sighted from the neighboring hills. E.xpecting no enemy from 
the sea, his ships were in no posture of defence. But during the night he succeded in 
forming his little squadron in a close line across the mouth of the bay, the ends sup- 
ported by a few guns on the hills above, and with transports and store-ships inside. 
His attitude was firm, but his force was comparatively insignificant ; and M. de Suf- 
fren, captain of the "Fantesque," strongly urged D'Estaing to come boldly in and 
anchor close alongside, or on top of the anchor buoys, thus rendering the shore bat- 
teries useless, and crushing the English by force of numbers. D'Estaing, however, 
preferred standing in line of battle, keeping away along the English line, and so pass- 
ing again out of the bay after a desultory interchange of firing. In the afternoon he 
repeated the same manoeuvre, equally without result. On the i8th he landed the 
troops to the northward and attempted to storm a hill strongly held, but was once and 
again repulsed with great slaughter. Then hearing of Admiral Byron's approach with 
a superior force, he sailed for Martinique." This confirms D. H. Conyngham's state- 
ment about GustavusConyngham's advice to D'Estaing. Barrington had the "Prince 
of Wales," 74 guns, 2 frigates, 5 small ships of the line, and 5,000 men. D'Estaing's 
fleet had 12 ships of the line and 4 frigates. 



28 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES, 

their situation under St. Lucia, and advised the Admiral to 
run in and anchor opposite the ships as they lay, and to 
attack them in that way ; this he did not do, and was beaten 
off. 

Captain G. Conyngham captured the brig "Surprise," 
fitted out off Antigua to take him, and the Pilot boat 
schooner " Harrington," both of which he brought into St. 
Pierre [sic] , 3d Company also as mounting guard in charge of 
Major Fell,^^ Major Skeene,^^ and other British officers, who 
arrived from England and were made prisoners. Received 
afterward civilities from Major Fell when business took me 
to London, where I paid 8000 guineas for bills drawn by 
houses in Philadelphia, which drew on me the observation 
of Lord North, and had to get clear of him by leaving Lon- 
don at 7 o'clock in the morning in post chaise and finding 
a Packet sailing from Dover at 3 o'clock. Slept at Des- 
sein's Hotel in Paris. Remember the Duchess of Kings- 
ton^* passed same afternoon for Dover. 

Remembers being one of a party or gala given by Gov- 
ernor Joseph Reed^^ at Governor's Island,^® near Fort Mifflin ; 
went down with a party of ladies and gentlemen in a gunboat 
commanded by Captain Nathan Boys f landed at the wharf 

22. Major Robt. Edward Fell of H. M. 79th Regt. Foot; was on half pay after 
the regt. disbanded, 1763 ; was made Lieut. Col. May 25, 1772. (Gray don, 1846, p. 75.) 

23. Major Philip K. Skene, or his son. {v. Westcott's History of Philada., p. 300; 
Lossing's Field Book, I. 74, 137-9 ! U- 684, &c. ; Graydon, 127, 208, 228.) 

24. Dutchess of Kingston, Caroline, Countess of Kingston, wife of Robert, 2d 
Earl of Kingston, and daughter of James, 4th Lord Kingston. 

25. Governor Joseph Rekd. {v. Life and Correspondence of President Reed, 2 
vols., Philadelphia, 1847.) 

26. "Governor's Island." The place where Fort Mifflin now stands was thus 
called. 

27. Captain Nathan Boys (Boyse, Boyce and sometimes written Nathaniel Boyce), 
born—; died, Philadelphia, January, 1803; will December 20, 1802— January 7, 1S03; 
wife, Mary Boys, executrix. He was a brother of EHas Boys, merchant, Philadelphia, 
Warden of the Port 17S7, and Member Hibernian Society. Captain Boys was appoint- 
ed by the Navy Board ist Lieutenant Pennsylvania Navy; assigned August 29, 1775, 
to the Provincial Armed Boat "General Washington," built by John Martin; served 
until made Captain, December 6, 1775, of the Armed Boat "Franklin," built by Man- 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 2g 

and marched up to the barracks with music, and then en- 
joyed dancing and promenades and a very handsome and 
agreeable refreshment, such as the times afforded, returning 
to the city before night ; music in all the boats and much 
life, fun and spirit accompanying us "Republicans", although 
battle, distress and doubts were our attendants. 

Remembers hearing from Mr. Nixon,^^ his falling into the 
narrow passage between the rocks of the Schuylkill in at- 
tempting to help a Miss Evans across a board, usually 
placed to go from rock to rock where now the dam is. 

Remembers when in school at Dublin, in Ireland, sur- 
prising his fellow scholars and others by jumping off the 
Breakwater from the light-house to King's end and swim- 
ming about to the admiration of all around me. Also the 
riding of the Franchises,^^ or vulgarly called the Fringes, 
the Lord Ma3''or and Corporations parading for their char- 

uel Eyre, succeeding Captain Nicholas Biddle, who, December 22, 1775, was made 
Captain by Congress of the ship "Andrew Doria" of 14 guns. Captain Boys served as 
President of the Court Martial August 5-18, 1778. He was placed in charge of the Gal- 
leys and the Forts at Mud Island and Billingsport, February 13, 1781, and was Com- 
mander in Chief of the Pennsylvania Galleys 1779-17S1, then comprising the "Frank- 
lin," , 'Hancock," "Chatham," "Viper," and "Lion," with 130 rank and file. In Au- 
gust, 1778, after the British evacuated Philadelphia, all the Officers of the Pennsylvania 
Navy were discharged, except Captain Boys and enough men to man these boats. 
He was ordered, May 7, 1781, to immediately raise a company of 31 rank and file to act 
as a garrison to defend the Forts in the Delaware. His services in defending the Del- 
aware appear in the Correspondence of the Navy Board, and justly entitled him to a 
fuller recognition than he has yet received. He took the oath of allegiance to Penn- 
sylvania June 23, 1777, and to the United States April i, 1779. When Independence 
was assured and the rest of the Pennsylvania Navy dismissed, he was discharged from 
service Deeember 20, 1781, with this action of the Executive Council : 

"Ordered that Captain Nathan Boys be discharged from the State service, that the 
Council are sensible of his merit as an officer, and think it proper to declare their ap- 
probation of his conduct during the time he has been in the public service, and to assure 
him that they discharge him because the service in which he was engaged is at an end, 
and for no other cause." (Col. Rec. Pa.. XIII. 151.) In 1791 he was one of the "Com- 
missioners of Philadelphia for Lighting, Watching and Paving the streets of the city." 
He continued to be a City Commissioner until 1798. He was one of the Commission- 
ers "to prevent forestalling in the Philadelphia Markets." (Pa. Arch., ad S,, III. 713.) 
He was elected 1790 a member of the Hibernian Society. 

28. Colonel John Nixon, (z/. Pa. Mag. Hist., I. 188. Friendly Sons, 128.) 

29. Franchises, {v. Lord Mayor's Shows, Walford's Old and New London, I. 
317-332-) 



30 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

ter rights. A similar one^" in this city (Philadelphia), July 
4, 1788, on adoption of the Constitution, exceeded far the 
one in Dublin, the writer after the Axe men under Major 
Pancake,^^ and the Trumpeter^^ of the ist or "Old*^ City 
Troop" was in the first file, and through the whole parade 
until dismissed at Bush hill.^* 

The battle of Fort Wilson, 1779,^ is never correctly 
stated. An order was given on the day on which it oc- 
curred, October 4, 1779, that the troop of horse should pa- 
rade at 3 o'clock. Hearing a drum beating, and being in 
his uniform dress, went up to the corner of Walnut and 



30. The Grand Federal Procession, July 4, 17S8, celebrating the adoption of the 
Constitution of 1787. (Wescott, I. 447-452.) 

31. Major Philip Pancake, Captain 2d Battalion, 3d Class, Philadelphia Militia, 
August 2, 1777. Company mustered in, Wilmington, September 3, 1777. (Pa. Arch., 2d 
S., XIII. 161 ; XIV. 605, 661 ; XV. 675.) Major 3d Battalion Philadelphia Militia, Joseph 
Dean, Lieut. Colonel, 1782. {id. 2d S., XIV. 3.) The name is uncommon. Philip 
Pancake was taxed Westmoreland county. Pa., 1776-1780, and Moyamensing township, 
Philadelphia, 1774-1779. Captain Pancake was a grocer, Dock Ward, Philadelphia, 
appraised 1780 at $13,400. In 1791 Philip Pancake, grocer, lived at 160 South Fourth 
street, Philadelphia. He also held lands Northumberland county, 400 acres surveyed 
September 2, 17S6, and 400 in Luzerne county, surveyed November, 1794. For ac- 
count of axemen under Captain Pancake, 1788, see Westcott, I. 448. 

32-3. Old City Troop, v. "History First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, 1774- 
1874." 4to, pp. 224. Philadelphia, 1874. The names of the Trumpeters ol the Troop 
are seldom given in this book. In 1794 there were two, Michael Waltman and George 
Spinnenberger. In 17S0 the Troop had "Forty-five members and a Trumpeter." The 
Trumpeter was not a member of the Troop, hence his name is lost to history. 

34. Bush Hill, the residence of Andrew Hamilton, Esq., the eminent lawyer who 
fearlessly and successfully defended John Peter Zenger, in New York, 1733, thus secur- 
ing "the first vindication of the liberty of the Press in America." He bought a part of 
Springettsburg Manor and built thereon, 1740, the elegant mansion which stood here 
until 1875. It was used as a hospital dnring the Yellow Fever epidemic 1793. (Wat- 
son, II. 479; Westcott, II. 872, 943, 1605; Pa. Mag. Hist., IX. 182.) 

35. Fort Wilson. — In 1779 the residence of James Wilson, Esq., a signer of the Dec- 
laration of Independence, southwest corner of Third and Walnut streets, Philadelphia, 
was attacked by a mob. The riot was caused by the scarcity of breadstuff, and the 
supposed connexion of certain prominent merchants and others with the scarcity. 
The engraving of Fort Wilson is here given by the courtesy of the Historical Society 
of Pennsylvania. 

For accounts of this riot v. Hazard's Register, I. 316 ; Watson, I. 425, H. 286 ; West- 
cott, 401-2; Pa. Mag. Hist., II. 392, V. 475; Pa. Col. Rec, XII; Archives, VII.; Life 
of President Joseph Reed, II, 149, 153, 423. v. also Note 51. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 3 1 

Front streets, and remember well seeing Bill Bonum,^* E, 
Faulkner^ and Captain Gibbs,^ whom he knew well at the 
time. They wheeled up Walnut street, and while getting 
his sword and pistols the firing began, and he mounted and 
went up to the stables^^ in Seventh street, the usual rendez- 
vous or parade ; finding no one there, he went round to 
Governor Reed's^" house in Market street, corner of Sixth, 
and called upon the Governor, whom he saw and spoke 
with to beg he would turn out, as the lives of several of our 
most respectable citizens were in danger. Colonel Charles 
Stewart^^ of the New Jerseys, and in the Commissary line, 
came up, and hearing of the writer, called on the Governor 
to appear. Timothy Matlack*- also came and said : " You 
must turn out or the lives of those in the house will be laid 
on you." He then called his servant to bring his pistols 
and to order his horses ; by this time we were joined by 
several of our troop, and upon the Governor's mounting, 
galloped down Market street, passing Major Lenox,*^ then 
a member of the troop, getting on his horse without his 
coat; and at the old Conestoga Wagon" were some "Con- 
tinental Horse," ^^ who called to know if they should join, 
and were answered, "Yes, come along." Our party in- 

36. William Bonham, probably of Mulberrj' Ward, died, 1782. 

37. Ephraim Falconer, Captain 6th Batt. Phila. Militia; of Southwark, 1769-1783, 
when he died. (Pa. Arch., 3d S. V. 445, 458, 471.) 

38. Gilbert GiBBS, Captain 8th Batt. Pa. Associators, Chester Co., the only officer 
named Gibbs in the Pa. Militia, {id. XIV. 75, 104.) 

39. Jacob Hiltzheimer's Livery Stables, 7th St. between Market and Chestnut Sts. 
(Watson, III. 227. Hiltzheimer's Diary, Pa. Mag. Hist., XVI. 93, 160, 412.) 

40. Reed. {v. Note 25.) 

41. Colonel Charles Stewart of N. J. {v. Appleton's Cyc. Am. Biog., V. 683.) 

42. Timothy Matlack. ("Simpson's Lives of Eminent Philadelphians," 685.) 

43. Major David Lenox, v. Note 54. 

44. "Conestoga Wagon," a tavern then on Market St. above4th St., kept, 1791, by 
Samuel Nichols. 

45. The Cavalry of the Continental Line. 



32 CONVXGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

creased as we went down Third street, and arriving at the 
corner, firing was pretty quick, both from and to the house. 
Riding up to the front door in Third street, Ross,^^ a black- 
smith with a wooden leg, was just raising a sledge hammer 
to break the door open, when the writer drew his pistol and 
told him if he struck another stroke he would shoot him ; 
and then came up old Alderman Samuel Mifflin^^ and seized 
him by the arm and told him to join the Governor, then 
turning into Walnut street, but the door opening from the 
inside, I saw the body of Lieutenant Campbell** falling on the 
stairs, being shot through the cellar window, as told at that 
moment. Joining Governor Reed in Walnut street, and 
the firing continuing both at and from the house, a black 
boy was shot at the pump before Bishop White's house, 89 
Walnut street. Governor Reed ordered Isaac Coxe** and 
the writer to stay by his side, and upon the coming up of 
the "Continental Horse" before mentioned, "asking under 
what orders do you act," our Lieutenant Budden^*^ desired 

46. Ross. — Conyngham wrote as an eyewitness in personal conflict with Ross, whom 
he identified by his wooden leg. Westcott says (I, 402): "An unsuccessful attempt 
was made to force the door of the house, but a rioter named Huler procured a sledge- 
hammer from a blacksmith shop on Pearl street and used it with such effect that the 
door gave way, and Huler, accompanied by a German who had aided in procuring the 
hammer, rushed in," &c. Huler's success may have followed the failure of Ross. Mr. 
John Jordan, Jr., wrote me that this was "Hugh Ross," Blacksmith, of Carter's Alley, 
1785. 

47. Captain Samuel Mifflin, {v. "Memoranda relating to the Mifflin Family," I. 
H. Merrill, 1890, pp. 44-45. Keith's Provincial Council of Pa., 362-370.) 

48. Lieutenant Robert Campbell, "2d Lieutenant, 2d Battalion, Miles' Riflemen, 
March ig, 1776; ist Lieutenant, 2d Canadian (Hazen's) Regiment, April 8, 1777; 
wounded and taken prisoner, Staten Island, August 22,1777; rejoined regiment Aug. 
5, 1778; transferred to Invalid Regiment January i, 177S; killed October 4, 1779, where 
not stated." (Heitman's Register, 114.) 

49. Isaac Cox, Paymaster, Colonel Samuel Miles' Pennsylvania Riflemen, Septem- 
ber l8, 1776 ; resigned October 16, 1776 ; elected member Philadelphia City Troop March, 
1777; served in New Jersey Campaigns 1779, 1780, 1781 ; Honorary Member May 4, 
1790; Member Gloucester Fo.x Hunting Club May 21, 1778. 

50. Lieutenant James Budden, born — ; died January 7, 17S8 ; Member City Troop 
November 17, 1774; "made 2d Lieutenant December, 1776, in consequence of having 
distinguished himself in the battles of Princeton and Trenton, where a small detach- 
ment of the Troop vanquished and took prisoner a party of the enemy greatly superior 



CONYNGIIAM REMINISCENCES. 33 

me to ask the Governor, who readily said, "Charge all 
armed men" ; upon which they attacked and assisted to 
route the mob. Seeing them give wa}^, the party in the 
house came out and formed at the corner of Third and 
Walnut streets. 

Sam Morris was shot in the arm, standing on the porch 
or steps of Allen McClane's house, Walnut street. Robert 
Morris, J. Benezett, the two Nicholls, Col. Burd of Read- 
ing, McCuUoch and the rest of the party^^ from the house 

in number." (Pa. Mag:. Hist., XV. 225.) They captured eleven Light Dragoons dis- 
mounted and with muskets in hand. Budden served in every campaign in which the 
Troop acted from 1774 to 1783. Honorary Member City Troop May i, 1787. 

51. Fort Wilson. — No complete list of the prominent gentlemen who were pres- 
ent inside Fort Wilson during the attack of the mob, October 4, 1779, has been found. 
From these Reminiscences and all the other accounts of the riot, with the record from 
pfficial documents of those who presented themselves to the Executive Council in obe- 
dience to the proclamation of President Reed, October 6, a list of thirty-two has been 
made, and will doubtless be found correct. 

Colonel Mark Bird. {v. Berks County in the Revolution, 212.) 

Paul Beck, Jr. {v. Simpson's Lives of Eminent Philadelphians, 37-48-) 

John Benezet. Taxed, Mulberry Ward, Philadelphia, 1769-1774 ; Dock Ward, 
1779-1780 ; Member American Society Promotion Useful Knowledge 1769 ; Member 
Provincial Council January 23,1775; Member Philadelphia Committee Correspond- 
ence August 16, 1775. (Pa. Arch., 2d S., III. 676; Force's Arch., III. 145.) Did he 
marry, Christ's Church, October 26, 1775, Hannah Bingham? James Allen, in his 
Diary, July 30, 1777, says : "My late neighbor in the Country, Mr. John Benezet, is just 
arrived here [Northampton county;] he is now a Commissioner of Claims and a 
staunch Whig." He was dead 1781. Mr. Benezet was probably the one of his name 
who was lost at sea in the privateer "Shillelah" December, 1780, of which see later. 

William Bhll, Merchant, 217 High street. (,v. History Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, 
348.) 

Lieutenant Bobert Campbell, {v. Note 48.) 

George Campbell, {v. Friendly Sons 1 03, Simpson"i74.) 

George Clvmer. (v. Pa. Mag. Hist., IX. 354; Nat. Cyc. Am. Biog., III. 272, &c.) 

Daniel C' Clvmer. [v. Pa. Mag. Hist., IX. 354.) 

Lieutenant Stephen Chambers, {^v. Pa. Mag. Hist., XI. 69-70.) 

Captain Sharp Delanev. (v. Friendly Sons, 108.) 

Major David Solebury Franks. Aid to Arnold, May, 1778 — September 25, 1780. 
Continuedjas Major and Aide de Camp, Continental Army, until retired January i, 
1783. (Heitman, 1S2.) 

Colonel Grhssbll, U. S. A. There is no such name in the Army Lists. 

"Colonel Gressell of the Continental Army, who was in the House of James Wilson, 
Esq., on the fourth of October instant at the time of the riot there, attended, and it ap- 
pearing that he had used his influence to prevent Bloodshed, and has no intention of 
taking part on either side. He was dismissed, with a request that he will attend as 
an evidence, if he shall be called upon." (Record of the Supreme Exec. Council, Pa. 
Col. Rec, XII. 145.) 



34 CONVNGHAM KEMIXISCENCES. 

paraded through the streets, and were insulted every- 
where, especially about Vine street. They stopped a piece 
of cannon from the Laboratory^^ in Third street, which the 



Colonel William Grayson, {v. Hist. Maryland Line, Seventy-Six Society, p. 
99-108.) 

Thomas Lawrence. ") 

John Lawrence, Jr. V (z/. Keith's Provincial Councilors, 430-456.) 

Staats Lawrence, minor.) 

Captain Allen McLank. (v. Day's Hist. CoU. Pa., 501 ; ScharfT 's Hist. Delaware, 
208 ; Life and Correspondence of President Reed, IL 150-152 ; Watson, .^21.) 

Matthkw McConnell. (i'. Friendly Sons, 473.) 

McCuLLOcH, named by D. H. Conyngham ; possibly error of Amanuensis for 

McConnell, or Captain John McCulloch, Pa. Line. 

General Thomas Mifflin, [v. Keith, 362-379; Mifflin Family, 18-28.) 

John FisHBOuRNE Mifflin, (z/. Keith, 363 ; Mifflin, 56.) . 

Robert Morris, [v. Pa. Mag. Hist., L 333; Simpson, 102; Nat. Cyc. Am. Biog., 
IL 410, &c. Oberholtzer's "Robert Morris," &c., 1903.). 

Samuel Morris, (v. Hist. Phila. City Troop, 156 ; Simpson, 723.) 

Major William Nichols, brother of Francis Nichols ; Maj. Continental Army 1776; 
Member City Troop May 17, 1779; Honorary Member July 19, 179S; Clerk Orphans' 
Court 1786-1790; United States Marshal for District of Pennsylvania April, 1795 ; Mar- 
shal of Admiralty Court 1798; died 1804. He was a wine and cloth merchant. North 
Market street, opposite "Indian King," December, 17S0. Living at 3 South Fourth 
street 1791 ; Member Hibernian Society, 1790. 

Major Francis Nichols, {v. Friendly Sons, 127.) 

Major Lewis Nichola. {v. Westcott, I. 333, 439.) 

Matthew Potts. 

Nathaniel Potts. Member Berks County Bar August i, 1781 ; Philadelphia Bar 
September, 17S2. 

John Potts, Jr. Member Philadelphia Bar October 20, 1759. 

Dr. Jonathan Potts, {v. Berks County in Revolution, 263; Heitman, 334; Pa. 
Mag. Hist., I. 175-180.) 

Andrew Robinson, for Andrew Robeson, Esq. Member Philadelphia Bar 1773 ; 
Register Court of Admiralty June 3, 1779; died May 28, 1781, aged 29. (Col. Rec, XII. 
14,745-). 

John Schaffer, Paymaster First Battalion Philadelphia Militia, (v. Col. Rec. 
XL 29.) 

General William Thompson, {v. Friendly Sons, 135.) 

James Wilson, (t/. Pa. Mag. Hist., XL 270; Simpson, 964; Nat. Cyc. Am. Biog., 
1.22.) 

October 6, 1779, Governor Reed issued his proclamation commanding all who were 
"concerned in the Unhappy Transaction" to surrender themselves to the Sheriff of 
Philadelphia and be committed to jail until released on bail. Of the above named gen- 
tlemen the following only obeyed this order, appeared before the Executive Council, 
and gave bail for further appearance: Colonel Bird, Daniel Clymer, Stephen Cham- 
bers, Colonel Gressell, Major Franks, John F. Mifflin, John Lawrence, Jr., Staats Law- 
rence, Matthew McConnell, Major Nichols, Dr. Jonathan Potts. Nathaniel Potts, John 
Potts, Jr., James Wilson, and William Bell, trader. (Col. Rec. Pa., XII, 122-154.) 

52. Laboratory, on Third street, probably the old "Workhouse," Third and Mar- 
ket streets, used 177S-1779, for casting balls, &c., and fitted up by Captain Stiles for a 
magazine of small arms. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 35 

writer well recollects was given in charge of Commodore 
James Nicholson" of the Navy. The names first present 
were : 

D. Lenox,^^ John Barclay,'' William Hall/« J. M. Nes- 
bitt,'^ M. M. O'Brien,'^ D. H. Conyngham/^ Isaac Coxe,'^ 

53. Commodore JAMKS Nicholson, (v. Nat. Cyc. Am. Biog., U. 231.). 

54. Major David Lknox, born — ; died April 10, 1828 ; commissioned Captain 3d 
Battalion Pennsylvania Militia, Colonels Shea and Cadwallader, January 5, 1776. Was 
in Fort Washington when it was captured, November 16, 1776. Detached with a part 
of his Battalion to oppose the landing of the Hessians, 42d Regiment, his command 
fought with great valor, killing and wounding upwards of 90 of the enemy, with small 
loss to his own troops. Was taken prisoner and held 18 months, exchanged April 20, 
1778. He tells the rest of his military service in his letter, April, 1786, to the Executive 
Council. (Pa. Arch., X. 754.) 

"I was taken Prisoner the i6th Nov. 1776 and Exchanged the 2d April 1778, but was 
not released till the 15th May. I then joined the Army at Valley Forge, but found that 
I could not get the Rank to which I was entitled ; however having every wish to con- 
tinue in the Service, I joined General Wayne's Family, & continued the whole Cam- 
paign. The Committee of Congress, consisting of General Read from this State, and 
Colonel Bannister from Virginia, together with the Commanding Officer of each Line, 
met at the White Plains in August 1778, to ascertain the Rank of the Army. They 
wishing to do me all the Justice in their power, fixed my Rank, Vizt, a Majority from 
the 7th June 1777 : but the situation of the Army did not admit of my getting the Com- 
mand to which I was entitled this is Certified by General Wayne, who was then the 

Commanding Officer of the Pennsya Line. The Comptroller General has settled with 
me to the 20th April 1778: but as I could not get my Command, I left the Army after 
the Campaign of 1778 & think it a hardship to be deprived of my Pay &c, after that 
time. I refer to General Wayne's Certificate for the facts set forth. D. L." 

Indorsed, "17S6 April 3." (Pa. Arch., X. 754. See letter of like import, September 5, 
1786, Pa. Arch., XI. 55.) 

Major Lenox entered Philadelphia City Troop March, 1777 ; served as private in 
the campaign of August, 1777-9, and 1780 and 1781 in New Jersey ; was First Lieuten- 
ant 1794-1796 ; Honorary Member October 24, 1796 ; appointed Marshal U. S Admiralty 
Court September 26, 1793, serving until May 18, 1795. His participation in the defence 
of Fort Wilson will be found in the various accounts of the riot. He was also one of 
the Marshals of the Grand Federal Procession July 4, 1788 ; Member Committee of Cor- 
respondence pppointed after the Chesapeake outrage 1807 ; was selected by Girard, one 
of the Trustees of the Girard Bank, May 23, 1812, and continued until his death. He 
was also, 1813, one of the Committee of Superintendence for the Protection of the River 
Delaware and Philadelphia; President Philadelphia Bank 1813-1818; and a member of 
the State Society of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania. 

55. John Barclay, (v. Friendly Sons, p. 95.) 

56. William Hall, Member City Troop November 14, 1774; resigned June 30, 1803; 
Honorary Member July 29, 1803 ; Member Pennsylvania Assembly 1798-1800 ; died De- 
cember 10, 1831. 

57. John M. Nesbitt. [v. page 188, Note 4.) 

58. M. M. O'Brien, {v. Friendly Sons, p. 129.) 

59. D, H. CoNYNGHAM. {v. Introduction, p. 183-200.) 

60. Isaac Coxe. (v. Note 45.) 



36 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

Thomas C. Morris,"^ Thomas Leiper,^^ John Dunlap,** Lieut. 
Budden," Ben Davis/' David Duncan,^^ Alex'r Nesbitt,^^ 
John Lardner,^^ and the rest of the old "City" or ist'® troops 
as they appeared, and being sent through the city as patrols, 
put several into prison; and in riding through Race or Vine 

61. Thomas C. Morris, Member City Troop March, 1777 ; Honorary Member Feb. 
22, 1783 ; served in Campaigns 1777-1781 ; died — . 

62. Thomas Lbiper. {v. Simpson, p. 648.) 

63. John Dunlap. {v. Friendly Sons, p. 109 ; History First Troop, p. 143.) 

64. V. Note 50. 

65. Benjamin Davis. Jr. History City Troop says : "Lieutenant Flying Camp, 1776 ; 
Member City Troop October, 1778 ; in campaigns 1777-9, 1780, 1781 ; Honorary Mem- 
ber September 10, 1787; died 1810." Heitman says: "First Lieutenant Pennsylvania 
Battalion October 27, 1775 ; Captain January 5, 1776 ; resigned November 21, 1777." He 
gives another Benjamin Davis, First Lieutenant Flying Camp July, 1776; prisoner 
Fort Washington November i5, 1776; released December 8, 1780. There was also a 
Benjamin Davis, Captain Engineers, Philadelphia Militia, September 12, 1777. (v. Pa. 
Arch., 2dS., XHI. 648.) Benjamin Davis, Jr., Philadelphia, appointed Measurer of 
Grain and Salt, 1790. (v. Pa. Arch., XI. 766.) 

66. David Duncan, Member City Troop July 4, 1779 ; Honorary Member September 
10, 1787 ; died — . In campaigns of 1779 and 1781. {v. Friendly Sons, p. 400.) 

67. Alexander Nesbitt, brother of John Maxwell and Jonathan Nesbitt, came from 
Loughbrickland, County Down, Ireland, soa of Alexander Nesbitt, born Ireland — , 
died Philadelphia September, 1791. He was apprenticed to Conyngham & Nesbitt. In 
1774 he espoused the American cause; was elected member Philadelphia City Troop 
October, 1776 ; Honorary Member September 10, 1787 ; served in the campaigns of Jan- 
uary-February, 1777 ; at Germantown September-October, 1777 ; at Princeton and Fort 
Wilson 1779 ; Somerset, N. J., 1780-1781. Took the oath of allegiance to Pennsylvania 
June 27. 1777. When the Supreme Executive Council requested the City Troop to 
attend and guard the prisoners who were deported to Virginia for refusing to take the 
"Test Oath," they successfully plead to be sent to the front to join Washington instead; 
but the Council requested that two members of the Troop should proceed to Virginia. 
Alexander Nesbitt and Samuel Caldwell were elected to perform that duty. 

In June, 1779, Mr. Nesbitt was in partnership with Colonel Walter Stewart in the 
Dry Goods business. He was Godfather to Colonel Stewart's son Robert 1780. He 
was elected a member of Gloucester Fox Hunting Club 1775; the Friendly Sons of St. 
Patrick 1778 ; the Hibernian Society 1790. In 1786 he was a contributor to the Penn- 
sylvania Hospital. 

68. John Lardner. Member Philadelphia City Troop October, 1775; Honorary 
Member October 24, 1786 ; Member Pennsylvania Association 1791-1792 ; died February 
12, 1825, 

69. The above appears to be a correct list of the members of the City Troop who par- 
ticipated in the defence of Fort Wilson. The Biographer of James Wilson gives seven 
only, among whom he names Major Francis Nichols and Major William Nichols. 
Major Francis Nichols was not with the Troop that day, but was in Mr. Wilson's 
house, as he stated October 19, 1779, when he surrendered himself to the Council and 
gave bail. (Col. Rec, XII. 137.) Conyngham shows that, instead of seven, fifteen of 
the Troop rallied to the rescue during the riot of the 4th instant. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 37 

street, remembers large stones and bricks thrown down upon 
us — a large one went between Ben Davis and him in Vine 
or Race street, supposed from a house whose head had been 
elected to valuable State offices, while the writer cannot ob- 
tain justice as to losses and sufferings from capture and loss 
of property. 

Remembers having passed up to above Third street in 
the Dock, and has often received flat and boat loads of 
goods just below the bridge in Second street, and has seen 
Dr. Phineas Bond^*' shooting woodcock or snipe from Pear 
to Spruce street, then a marsh with shrub, elder, woods, &c. 

Remembers well the beautiful woods^^ to the Schuylkill; 
they were cut down by the British. Has often enjoyed the 
same in his rides ; and remembers the race of Pacolet," 
Childers, and Northumberland the Irish horse; the course 
then coming into Eighth or Ninth street. Also remembers 
primitive trees in Norris'^^ stable yard, and original or na- 
tive Walnut trees at Clark's^* ball alley, opposite the State 
House, now near the U. S. Bank and superb stores and 
shops. 

Coming from Martinique in the beginning of the year 
1779 sailed in the "Nautilus,"^^ Captain Kellum and 2d 
Captain Brown, under convoy of the French frigate 
"Blanche"^® and "Senegal" corvette;'^ called at Guada- 

70. Dr. Phineas Bond. (v. Sabine's Loyalists, I. 235 ; Col. Rec. Pa., XL, XV.; Pa. 
Arch., VI., IX.; Westcott, 923.) 

71. "The Governor's Woods," or "Centre Woods," from Broad street to the 
Schuylkill and from High to South street, {v. Westcott, I. 231.) 

72. The Race Course referred to, and which gave the name to Race street, was in 
a circular form from Arch or Race street down Spruce, and from 8th street of Delaware 
to the Schuylkill, two miles for a heat. (Westcott, 940 ; Hayden's Virginia Genealo- 
gies, 471.) The Pacolet and Childers race occurred before 1820, when the law forbid 
races in the city, but all efforts tq learn the exact date have failed. 

73. Isaac Norris' House and Garden, (v. Watson, I. 408.) 

74. Clarke's Hall. {v. Watson, L 374 ; III. 190.) 

75. The "Nautilus," probably owned by Conyngham & Nesbitt. 

76. Frigate "La Blanche." This was one of D'Estaing's fleet, 1778-1779, a Frigate 
of 26 guns commanded by M. de La Gallissonniere. It was taken from the French by 



38 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

loupe and Eustatia, and while landing both there and at 
Guadaloupe was hurried off by the fleet getting under way 
and was forced to go on board ; got clear of the passages 
to leeward, Anegada/^ Sabra/^ etc., and in running for the 
coast of America parted with the convoy, passed a fleet 
outward bound, supposed under convey of the " Goliath," 
British heavy ship, and ran for the coast of America, when, 
on the morning of blank date, a cry was made of "land or 
breakers," which, as we supposed, was Hatteras, when, as 
the day broke, we found it was a large British fleet, and as 
the day increased were chased by a frigate, and had to run 
our brig almost under water to get clear of her; but as the 
wind was fair and continued fresh until ten o'clock, and we 
had outsailed or the frigate had rejoined her convoy, we 
made land and stood along shore, when the wind shifting 
to the westward as we neared the Cape Henry, found a 
large fleet of British cruisers and privateers coming out of 
the Chesapeake.^" We tried to stand off, but they so manoeu- 
vered that we could not clear them, and a fast-sailing armed 
schooner exchanged shots with us, finding which we "about 
ship" and ran on shore about eight miles above Currituck,*' 
and next day, having cut away our masts and having land- 

Admiral Rowley in the West Indies, November, 1779. Grasseand la Motte-Piquet were 
sent by d'Estaing with ten vessels to the Antilles. They were all dispersed in a tem- 
pest, "et les fregates /(I Blanche, I'Aiemene et la Fortimee tomberent aux mains des 
Anglais." Noailles "Marins et Soldats Francais en Amerique," 1903, pp. 104-105, 375 ; 
Pa. Mag., Hist., XXVII., p. 201. 

77. Corvette "le Senegal," a British vessel of 16 guns, commanded by Captain J. 
Ingliss, taken from them by D'Estaing in 1778 {v. Pa. Mag. Hist., XXVII. 200), and 
while in the French fleet commanded by the Count de Gambis, she was recaptured 
1780 on the River Gambia, E. I., by her former commander, {id. 202.) D'Estaing 
sent her, January 7, 1779, to France, at which time she, with the frigate La Blanche, 
conveyed the Nautilus on its way to the coast of America. Noailles "Marin et Soldat 
Francaise en Am6rique," 1903, p. 62. 

78. Anegarda, one of the Virgin Islands. • 

79. Saba, one of the Dutch West Indies. 

80. Sir George Collier's Fleet, which attacked Fort Nelson and Norfolk Navy 
Yard, Va., May, 1779, entered Hampton Roads May 9. (i/. Lossing, II. 332.) 

81. Currituck Island, enclosing Currituck Sound. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 39 

ed our guns and got some powder and shot, and being 
joined by the MiHtia of Princess Anne, Virginia, we beat 
them off in the attacks of the schooners and a brig of 12 or 
14 guns whose peaktye was shot off by the gun under my 
command and was near bringing her on shore. Our salt 
was lost, but saved eight bales of blankets belonging to the 
United States and a quantity of hardware for Mr. Cabarris^^ 
of North Carolina. I stayed several days with the wreck 
and them went up to Kemp's^ landing, where I found stores 
for the cargo, and went to Norfolk,^* then in ruins from the 
burning by the British ; purchased a horse and sulky from 
Paul Siemer;^ travelled through Virginia in company with 
Colonel Walter Stewart,^*' Colonel BalP^ of the American 
Army, then on furlough, and with Nicholas Low^ of New 
York and Captain Samuel Smith^'' of Baltimore. Remem- 
bers well the peach trees in blossom in Princess Anne ; and 
as we came on had a fall of snow that killed all the fruit 
that season. 

Passed some days in Baltimore, and was forwarded on by 

82. Hon. Stephen Cabarris, born France 1754; died Pembroke, North Carolina, 
1808 ; Member North Carolina Legislature from Edenton 1784-1787, and Chowan county 
1788-1805; Speaker House of Commons 1800-1805; lived, died and buried at Pembroke. 
Cabarris county was named for him. {v. Wheeler's North Carolina, H. 94.) 

83. Kemp's Landing, Princess Anne County, Va., ten miles from Norfolk. In 1783 
the Assembly set off "60 acres lying at the place commonly known as Kemp's Landing 
to establish the town of Kempsville," at the head of tidewater on Elizabeth River, 
named for Mr. George Kemp. (Hening's Statutes of Va., XI. 270.) Princess Anne 
County is the southeast corner of Virginia. 

84. Norfolk, Va., burned by Lord Dunmore January i, 1776. 

85. Paul Siemer of Norfolk. 

86. Colonel Walter Stewart came to Philadelphia as apprentice to the house of 
Conyngham & Nesbitt. {v. Friendly Sons, p. 134.) 

87. Colonel Burgess Ball of "Travellers Rest," Spotsylvania County, and 
"Springwood," Loudoun County, Va., a near relative and volunteer Aide to General 
Washington ; Lieutenant Colonel First Virginia Regiment, Continental Army, 1777. 
(v. sketch of him, Hayden's "Virginia Genealogies, iii-ii6.) 

88. Nicholas Low, merchant, New York City. {v. Barrett's Merchants of New 
York ; Appleton's Cyc. Am. Biog., IV. 38.) 

89. Captain Samuel Smith. Captain 6th Company, Smallwood's Regiment, Mary- 
land Line, 1776 ; Major General Militia, War of 1812. (v. Appleton's Cyc. Am. Biog., 
V. 587 ; Nat. Cyc. Am. Biog., I. 73-) 



40 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

my Cousin David Plunkett,^'' who lent me a horse and ser- 
vant to reach Philadelphia, where I quartered with J. M. 
Nesbitt in Front street. Was generally introduced into all 

90. Capt. David Plunkkt was the second son of Rev. Thomas Plunket of Dublin, 
Ireland, and his wife Mar>' Conyngham, sister of Redmond Conyngham, Esq., thus 
younger brother of William Conyngham Plunket, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, Baron 
Plunket, Peerage of Great Britain. He was born Dublin about 1750, came to Philadel- 
phia 1766 as an apprentice to his uncle in the house of Conyngham, Nesbitt & Co. 
to learn the shipping business. After the expiration of his time he located, 1771, in 
Baltimore, Md., and in 1779, with his cousin David Stewart, another nephew of Red- 
mond Conyngham, began the commercial life of the firm of Stewart & Plunket. When 
the War of the Revolution opened he warmly espoused the American cause and entered 
the Regimentof Colonel Smalhvood as 2d Lieutenant, Captain Peter Adams' Company, 
elected by the Convention of Maryland January 2, 1776, serving to December, 1776. He 
was with his company in the battle of Long Island, August 22-23, 1776, where his com- 
mand was surrounded by the British in overwhelming numbers. When it was deter- 
mined not to surrender, but to cut their way through the enemy's lines. Lieutenant 
Plunket acted with distinguished bravery. McSherry says (201-202) : "Major Gist 
with 400 Maryland troops charged on Cornwallis' lines five times, each time being re- 
pulsed, but the sixth charge resulted in victory, but with a loss to the Marylanders of 
259 officers and men." Of the charge a writer who was in the battle says : " The Ma- 
jor, Captain Ramsey and Lieutenant Plunket were foremost and within 100 yards of the 
enemy's muzzles when they was fired on by the enemy, who were chiefly under cover of 
an orchard." The lines of the enemy were penetrated, but Plunket was untouched. 
(Moore's Diary, I. 297.) The company of Captain Adams numbered 60 at the battle of 
Long Island. In September following only three were returned as "present fit for 
duty," so fearful was the fatality of that action. Lieutenant Plunket was commis- 
sioned Captain 4th Continental Dragoons January 10, 1777 ; was captured by the 
British October 20, 1777, and exchanged in 1778, but resigned March i, 1779. It 
was Plunket's desire at the first to enter the Navy rather than the Army, as a 
letter from General Richard Henry Lee to the Maryland Committee of Safety indicates. 
The Committee had in 1776 recommended him to be a Captain of Marines, but the place 
sought had long before been filled. He was, however, appointed 3d Lieutenant U. S. 
Navy July 20, 1781, and served until the war ended. He received from the State of 
Maryland ^343.9.10 compensation for depreciated pay. In 1776 he was tiie officer sent 
by the Committee of Safety, "as one in whose prudence and industry we can rely," to 
wait on Congress to receive from that body instructions relative to the seizure of the 
person of Governor Eden of Maryland. In 1777 he was an enthusiastic member of the 
Baltimore Whig Club, every one of which was "pledged to save our invaded country," 
and as such was prominent in the unsuccessful attempt of the Club, under Commodore 
Nicholson, to banish from the State the Tory editor of the Maryland Journal, William 
Goddard, for his treasonable articles. (Schaff's History of Baltimore.) 

In 1793 he was a captain of a company of mounted volunteers formed in view of war 
with France then threatened. He was also a member of the committee of citizens ap- 
pointed to provide for the French Refugees of Hispaniola. 

At the close of the war he resumed his connection with the commercial house of 
Stewart & Plunket, and subsequently realized quite a fortune. Baker, in his "Itinerary 
of Washington," notes his dining with Washington in Philadelphia September, 1791. 
(Pa. Mag. Hist., XX. 199.) He died at sea in 1793, en route for Ireland from the West 
Indies, leaving /"4o,ooo to be divided between the lady to whom he was engaged and 
his brother, Lord Plunket. (v. Life, Letters and Speeches of Lord Plunket, 2 vols., Lon- 
don, 1867, p. 28, ei seq.) 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 4 1 

societies, and saw the traitor Arnold, then married to the 
beautiful Miss Shippen,^^ but at this day declare I never 
Hked or was sociable with him. If I am not much deceived 
or nought in my conjecture, I think if King William would 
allow his being in Philadelphia for one evening, I, in com- 
pany with Major Mercer^^ of Virginia, visiting at Dr. Red- 
man's^^ in Second street, we were shut out and refused en- 
trance. After some days it was told by some of the young 
ladies that a Tory of important character was drinking tea 
with them. G. Evans, at the Tavern,^* now the "Merchants' 
Coffee House," told me in confidence that an officer whom 
I saw on the stairs was Prince Edward, who, with a party 
from Canada, was travelling "incognito," it shows the con- 
duct of parties at this day, and to whom ought to be held 
up the rewards of officers, when, alack, it is all the reverse. 
In the year 1779 or 80, before Robert Morris was in 
public life, he usually had a party to dine with him on Sat- 
urday, or perhaps it was before and during the stoppage of 
the Port. The party were generally Mr. J. M. Nesbitt, 
Poor, Beach, and if a stranger were in town for whom he 
wished a compliment; the fact attending this I well remem- 
ber, but cannot so well fix the time or date. Dinner being 
on the table on a Saturday, Mrs. Morris was much embar- 
rassed by Mr. Morris keeping the company waiting, and 
when he came he said he was detained by dispatching Cap- 
tain Wilson in their schooner "Lyon" for the Havanna. It 
so happened in about three or four weeks the usual party 

91. Margaret Shippen. {v. Keith's Prov. Councillors Pa., p. 64; Pa. Mag. Hist., 
Vols. XXIV., XXV., XXVI.) 

92. Major John Francis Mercer, ist Lieutenant, 3d Virginia Regiment, February 
26, 1776 ; wounded Brandywine September 11, 1777 ; Captain June 27, 1777 ; Major and 
Aide de Camp to General Henry Lee June 8, 1778 ; resigned October — , 1779 ; Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Virginia Militia October, 1780— November, 1781 ; died August 30, 1821. 
(App. Cyc. Am. Biog., III. 301 ; Heitman, 291.) 

93. John Redman, (v. Note 128.) 

94. Merchants' Coffee House, called, 1774, "The New Tavern," in Second street 
above Walnut. (Marshall's Diary, 10.) 



42 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

were met, and just after dinner the servant introduced Cap- 
tain Wilson, and Mr. Morris broke out in a great rage and 
surprise, abusing Captain Wilson ; but on the Captain 
handing him his letters and papers was surprised at finding 
he had been to Havanna, and through a mistake had not 
only made a great but a quick voyage, for on looking to his 
orders 300 boxes of sugar were put on board in place of 300 
boxes of segars, as ordered by Mr. Morris, and proved a 
good and fortunate voyage. 

In 1781, when Robert Morris was Financier and Gouver- 
neur Morris Assistant,^^ the Continental money was so depre- 
ciated that the Treasury was at a low state, when Mr. Mor- 
ris placed John Swanwick^^ in a room at Jacob Barge's^^ 
house in Market street, with power to issue notes, redeem- 
able with specie or bank notes ; and remember that I have, 
upon application from Mr. Morris, sent up from our chest, 
on different days, 5,000, 6,000 and 7,000 dollars, which be- 
ing, when sent up, spread out on the counter and offered to 
such as had orders, on seeing the specie, would take the 
notes signed J. Swanwick, and gave a renewed credit to the 
measures of Mr. Morris as Financier. 



95. Robert Morris was appointed Superintendent of Finance, and Gouverneur 
Morris his Assistant, February 20, 1780. (v. Life of Gouverneur Morris.) 

96. John Swanwick. Of him Ritter, in "Philadelphia and her Merchants," says 
(p. 48) : "A shipping merchant, held a prominent position at No. 20 Penn steeet [Di- 
rectory of 1791 says No. 79], for in addition to his mercantile pursuits, and his general 
association with ships and cargoes of sugar, teas, coffee, etc., he was a politician of 
1796-1798, a Democrat of some importance, and as such was elected and sent to Congress 
about 1795-1796, where he was also an opponent of J ay's treaty; these extraneous matters 
being adverse to merchandizing, drew heavily upon his prosperity which suppressed a 
successful issue to his labors." His Congressional term was from 1795 to 1799, but he 
resigned before his second term had expired, in 1798. At the death in 1783 o( Mr. In- 
glis of the firm of "Willing. Morris & Inglis," he was taken into partnership and the 
firm became "Willing, Morris & Swanwick." Sumner, in his "Financier and Finances 
of the American Revolution," II. 157, refers to the incident as told by Conyngham, as 
does Oberholtzer's "Robert Morris," 1903, 155, 156, 214, but with no mention as to who 
supplied the coin. 

97. Jacob Barge, Gentleman, 191 High street, in 1791. Hiltzheimer's Diary, Pa. 
Mag. Hist., XVI., makes frequent mention of Mr. Barge. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 43 

Remembers [June, 1783] Mr. Boudinot^^ frightened out 
of Congress Hall by the clamour of the Invalids, and leav- 
ing his post; and when I went home, found Mr. and Mrs. 
Morris at my house at "Woodford" on the Ridge Road four 
miles,^** where they stayed until the alarm was over, which 
they were sorry they had dreaded, or had been alarmed 
about. 

In his reminiscences has to record a fact fatal to him con- 
nectively in point of loss. Just before the Peace took place 
in 1783, Jonathan Nesbitt,'"*^ who had been settled in L'Ori- 
ent in France under the protection of Robert Morris and 

98. Elias Boudinot. {v. Nat. Cyc. Am. Biog., II. 274.) He was elected President 
of the Continental Congress November 4, 17S2, and was presiding over the session of 
June, 1783, when the less than one hundred disbanded soldiers of the Pennsylvania 
Line marched from Lancaster to Philadelphia to ask Congress for the pay due them. 

" The mutinous soldiers, under charge of certain sergeants, presented themselves 
drawn up in the street before the State House where Congress was assembled. They 
made no attempt to enter the building or to insult any member of Congress. • * • 
Although no attempt was made to compel Congress by force to grant the demands of 
the soldiers, yet its members became very much alarmed and adjourned to meet at 
Princeton." (v. Life of John Dickenson, Stille I. 244.) 

This was the occasion of Mr. Boudinot being frightened out of Congress and Morris' 
flight to "Woodford." Oberholtzer's Robert Morris, p. 182, mentions the flight of Mor- 
ris "to the house of a friend." 

99. " Woodford," four miles from Philadelphia, 1783, was located in what is now 
Fairmount Park on the Ridge Road, not far from the Macpherson mansion occupied by 
General Arnold. 

Drinker'sjournal records that, "Julys, i797. this morning the elegant seat of Hayfield 
Conyngham, Esq., in the neighbourhood of this city, was burned down." The Mount 
Pleasant estate, on which the Macpherson house stood, was on the east bank of the 
Schuylkill, {v. Westcott, 389 ; Watson, III. 494.) 

100. Jonathan Nesbitt, brother of John Maxwell Nesbitt, born County Down, Ire- 
land, was apprenticed to his brother. When his time had expired he sailed, 1775, in 
the "Charming Peggy," Captain Gustavus Conyngham, as supercargo, with a load of 
flaxseed for Europe. Arriving at Dunkirk, France, he went to Holland to buy powder 
and other munitions of war for Pennsylvania to be shipped on the "Peggy." These 
articles he shipped in Dutch vessels, which transferred them to Conyngham's ship, 
but they were lost in her subsequent capture. He then located at L'Orient, in the 
south of I<rance, made a port of entry 1770. Here he established a mercantile house as a 
source of supply for Pennsylvaida, and interested himself with great energy in aiding 
the Colony. Mr. Conyngham here tells of his misfortunes and death. He was in Phil- 
adelphia 1785 and attended the meeting, as a guest, of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick 
December 17, 17S5. Also in 1792, when he had 1600 acres of land surveyed for him in 
Huntingdon county, or else his brother had it done for him. In 1773, 1774 he had 1500 
acres in Northumberland county and 1200 in Westmoreland county, (v. Letter from 
Nesbitt about Capt. Gustavus Conyngham, Hale's "Franklin in France," I. 344.) 

Mr. Nesbitt was never a member of the firm of Conyngham, Nesbitt & Co. 



44 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

the house of J. M. Nesbitt & Co., hearing rumours of 
or about peace, went up to Paris, and in confidence asked 
Dr. Franklin whether he ought or should go on in heavy 
shipments to America, having then the three ships, "Con- 
gress," 28 guns, " Intrepid," 30 guns, and a ship fitted out 
for 20 guns, when Dr. Franklin told him to go on, and he 
carried on his equipment, and they sailed under an agree- 
ment to assist and fight together. Coming on the coast, the 
"Intrepid," Moses Brown, Captain,'"^ and the "Congress," 
Captain Geddes,^*^^ ran from poor Captain Thomas Bell in the 
"Renette,'"^ who, falling in with an English brig, called the 
" Morson," captured her and weakened his crew, and in a 
day after was attacked by a British sloop of war, which he 
fought until a shot carried off his hand, and he was forced 
to surrender, thus losing the concerned a great value ; and 
the two others that got in safely had not been in but a few 

loi. The "Intrepid," Captain Moses Brown of New Hampshire, a vessel of 120 guns 
and 160 men, which in 1779 took four vessels from the enemy, (v. McClay's Am. Pri- 
vateers, 134.) 

102. The "Congress," Captain George Geddes of Philadelphia, was a Pennsylvania 
ship of 24 guns and 200 men commissioned by the Naval Board 1781. Captain Geddes 
commanded the brig ' Holker," 10 guns and 35 men, 1779. In June, 1779, he captured 
the British ship "Diana," having on board 80 cannons, 60 swivels, 10 cohorns, &c. 
In August, 1779, he captured three brigs with cargoes of rum and sugar, one of which 
was wrecked on Cape May ; also a sloop of 6 guns with cargo of dry goods. He cap- 
tured, 1779, the scow "Friendship," butunfortunately liberated the captain and crew, for 
which action he was required by the Supreme Executive Council to give bond. (Col. 
Rec.,XII. 49; Pa. Arch., 2d S., I. 370.) In command of the "Congress," September 6, 
1781, he had his memorable engagement off Charleston with the British sloop of war 
"Savage," commanded by Captain C. Stirling, with 20 guns and 150 men. The British 
reports credits her with 16 guns. (Pa. Mag. Hist. XXVII. 200.) After a severe action 
of two hours the "Savage" surrendered, having lost her captain, and 55 killed and 
wounded. (McCIay, American Privateers, 211-123.) Captain Geddes lived, 1791, at 
67 Vine street, Philadelphia. 

103. The "Renette," Captain Thomas Bell of Pennsylvania, 20 guns. Of this ves- 
sel nothing more than Mr. Conyngham states can be learned. She was fitted out in 
France under Jonathan Nesbitt, and apparently was not registered in Philadelphia. 
The action between the "Renette" and the British sloop of war was probably the last 
naval engagement of the Revolution. The action is not recorded in the list of losses 
published Pa. Mag. XXVH. 176-205. Captain Bell was commissioned November 13, 
1776, by the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, commander of the privateer 
"Speedwell," owned by J. M. Nesbitt & Co., a ship of 10 guns and 25 men. In 1780 she 
had been purchased by the Slate, and Captain Bell then became master of the "Re- 
nette." In 1781 he lived in Philadelphia at 182 South Second street. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 45 

days, when the news of Peace arrived, and after sales made 
in a year or two after, a loss attended of more than one-half 
cost. So much for patriotism of that day or this, and this 
under General Jackson, from whom could not or cannot 
obtain justice for losses, let alone a place or appointment. 
Value of shipments per "Renette," "Congress" and "Intrep- 
id" equal to 50,000 pounds sterling. Loss ultimate almost 
total, for which under the Laws of France, for final settle- 
ment of his affairs, Jonathan Nesbitt went to France and 
died in distress. 

It had been proposed that R. Morris, J. M. Nesbitt & Co., 
and Colonel Bounter, and Mr. Holker^"* were to be partners, 
but failing of the parties to complete their engagements, the 
final loss fell on Jonathan Nesbitt. 

In continuing my reminiscences I recollected that a com- 
mon place book, to be found in my desk, not only saves the 
writing, but must contain, much more distinctly, the inci- 
dents of my voyage to and from Europe, and for the former 
refer thereto which will save many sheets of paper in this 
form, observing that since then OHver Macausland^"^ has 

104. "The Hon. John Holker, Esq.," Agent General ofthe Royal Marine of France, 
at Philadelphia, 1778-1783, and also Consul General of France, to New York, New Jer- 
sey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, September, 1781-1783. Lived in the "Richard Penn 
House," built by the widow Masters, south side Market, between Fifth and Sixth 
streets, one of the finest mansions in Philadelphia, occupied by General Howe, 1777- 
1778 ; Arnold, 1778-1779 ; Holker, 1779-1780, when it was destroyed by fire. (Pa. Mag. 
XXII. 88, 89). Holker was so energetic in supplying the Frencli fleets and sailing ves- 
sels with flour, masts, &c., as to subject himself to the serious charges of clandestine 
and private trading, from which charges the Executive Council acquitted him. ( West- 
cott I. 398). The State paid his account in full, .^857, los., March 26, 1782, and April 
15, 1785, gave him a certificate that "Mr. Holker of this city, late Consul General, &c., 
was recognized as such by the Council." From this it appears that he was still in 
Philadelphia, 1785, but not as Consul General. His name is not in the Directory of 
1791. (Pa. Mag. Hist. XVII. 350-1- Chastellux Travels in No. Am. (1828), 148-149; 
FinancierandFinancesof the American Revolution, Sumner, I. 229-231,304, II. 163-165.) 

105. Rev. Oliver Macausland of Strabane, born November 6, 1757, died September, 
1840, son of Oliver Macausland, Esq., Member Parliament for Strabane, County Lon- 
donderry. He was Rector of Finlagan, County Derry, and was Chief of the Clan of 
Macauslanes of Glenduglas in Dumbartonshire. His sister married William Conyng- 
ham Plunket, Baron Plunket. He was sixth from Baron McAuslan of Glenduglas, who 
came to Ireland 1600. (v. Burke's Landed Gentry). He married, 1785, Hannah Con- 



46 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

been removed from Garvagh to a more lucrative and superb 
Parish residence called Finlagan, near Newton Leinnavady, 
and that my cousin William Conyngham Plunket^*" has been 
made Chief Justice of Ireland, and also raised to the Peer- 
age as Baron Lord Plunket. 

In the year 1781 a revolt or disturbance arose in the Penn- 
sylvania Line of the United States Army/°^ and the officers 
were put in terror, and their authority taken away by the 
soldiers who formed a "Board of Sergeants," etc., and moved 
in a body towards Trenton. The officers, General Wayne,^"^ 
Lord Sterling,^"^ etc., came on to Trenton, and calling on the 
State for help, under orders from Governor Reed our Troop 
was ordered to march, and on the fifth day of January we 
marched out sixty-three strong, as my memory serves. We 
went out to Bristol, next day to Trenton. Had some diffi- 
culty in getting stabling and quarters, from the apprehen- 
sion and dread that prevailed. Obtained a bed from an old 
school-fellow, but slept little. Recollects that the stables 
were much crowded; and in the evening, when our officer 
went to see our horses fed and cleaned, that John Redman/^*^ 
observing Billy Lawrence"^ cleaning and rubbing down 

yngham, fourth daughter of Redmond Conyngham, and had John, Captain Royal Navy, 
died at sea in command of H. M. S. Cruiser, 1835, Rev. Redmond and others, {v. 
Burke's Landed Gentry, 1852, 790; 1871, 838. Burke's History of the Commoners, 

1836, n. 56-60). 

106. William Conyngham Plunket, Baron Plunket. (z;. page 186; also Burke's 
Peerage, article "Plunket" ; Foster's Peerage, ditto ; Lodge's Peerage, ditto.) 

107. Revolt of thk Pennsylvania Line. Fora full account of this event z/. Penn'a 
Arch. 2dS. XL 631-674. 

108. Wayne, (v. Major General Anthony Wayne and the Pennsylvania Line in the 
Continental Army. Stille, 1893, pp. 239-262.) 

109. Lord Stkrhng. {v. Life of William Alexander, Earl of Sterling, etc., Duer., 
1857, vol. 2, New Jersey Historical Society publications.) 

no. JoH.v Red.man. The History of the Schuylkill Fishing Company, 1S89, p. 264, 
makes this John Redman, M. D., the well known Physician of Philadelphia, born Feb- 
ruary 22, 1722; died March 19, 1808; graduated M. D., Leyden, July, 1748; member 
Schuylkill Fishing Company 1754; member First City Troop July 4, 1779; served in 
the campaigns of 1779-17S1 ; 4th Sergeant 1794 ; Honorary Member 1787. It is possible 
that Dr. Redman at sixty years of age served as private in the City Troop, but it may 
be that the person of the name recorded in the History of First City Troop was John 
Redman, grocer, 53 Mulberry street, 1791. (Fora very interesting account of John 
Redman, the Physician, v. Brown's American Register, Philadelphia, 1808, lU. 549-554; 
Westcott, 1591. 

III. William Lawrence. Member Philadelphia City Troop March, 1777 ; Honorary 
Member February 22, 1782; served in the campaign of 1781 only, as stated supra, but 
his name does not occur in the list of members on duty in 1781, as given in History 
First City Troop, 29-30. {v. Keith, 430.). 



CONYNGHAM REMIfCISCENXES. 4/ 

his horse, found that he had neglected cleaning some part, 
but that, as he had done so well, he would excuse him, as 
he had attended to the horse of John Redman instead of 
his own, which created much sport among our Troop. 
Marched next day to Princeton ; were sent to different 
quarters, as all houses were full, being placed at a Mr. 
Schenk's, near Princeton. Next morning at roll call was 
drafted to march, with three of our Troop, Thomas Irvin,"^ 
Isaac Coxe"^ and D. H. Conyngham, and received directions 
to go down as Videttes to Amboy. Soon after marching 
were stopped by a file of soldiers, being a Picket Guard for 
the "Board of Sergeants," who detained us until they found 
we were under orders from the Army Officers and Governor 
Reed. They had at that moment two spies, namely, Ser- 
geant Mason and James Ogden, that had been stopped by 
them, and of whom more hereafter. We went on to Long 
Bridge and to Toms River and slept at an Inn at some cross- 
roads, meeting there Mr. Rattoon,^" who proposed going 
down with us, and whose house was the large tavern oppo- 
site Amboy. He not only gave us every advice and direc- 
tion, but told us of the critical situation we were in from the 
conduct of the Tories about us, led us down to his house, 
told us to feed our horses and bridle them, while he was 
preparing breakfast for us ; and his observation will be 
proved correct by what I shall now relate. We went up 
with him to the top of his house and thence saw the British 
troops at or about Amboy, with arms piled or grounded, 
and had not been five minutes there until a cannon fired 
from the "Vulture""^ sloop of war served as a rallying ; the 
drums beat to arms, and we took only time to see the troops 

112. Thomas Irwin. Member Philadelphia City Troop, March, 1777; Honorary 
Member September 10, 1787 ; served in the campaigns of 1778-1781. 

113. Isaac CoxE. w. Note 45. 

114. Thomas Rattoone of Perth Amboy, probably. He married, June 18, 1766, Cath- 
erine Magonnagil. 

115. The "Vulture," the British vessel which aided the escape of Arnold after the 
arrest of Andr6, 1780. {v. Lossing, I. 717, 720, 748.) 



48 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

formed, and Mr. Rattoon told us to gallop off, as the boats 
from the "Vulture" could land men near where we had to 
pass. We went off accordingly, and heard shot fall in the 
woods near which we passed ; came up the country, and 
finding Major Taylor"® at Toms River bridge, left our or- 
ders with him and obtained quarters in a farm house, com- 
fortable and quiet; but we took turns to mount guard, and 
soon after heard that Simcoe"^ with a party of British 
"Horse" had passed near us. Coming up to Princeton, we 
found the line marching into Trenton, and followed it in the 
rear in saving, by the interest made by us, James Caldwell"^ 
from a severe treatment for some hasty expressions he had 
used. Repairing to Bloomsbury house, near Trenton, de- 
livered our report to Governor Reed, Lord Sterling, General 
Wayne, etc. Were told we must try for quarters where we 
could, and knowing that Randall Mitchell"^ lived near, I 
went and asked lodgings, which were, I remember, rather 
unwillingly granted to an old friend. While at supper, one 
of our Troop came to the door with orders that all troopers 
there should mount and go down to the ferry and cross the 
river and go up to Somerset, the house of Thomas Bar- 
clay ,^^'' which to me was and would have been agreeable, 
but when I came there found we had the two Spies sent 
over to be tried, committed to our Lieutenant Budden,^^^ 
and on crossing the river I was alone with the ferryman, 
and the ice was making, and a severer moment I have sei- 
ne. Major James Taylor of Lancaster County, Captain 4tli Pennsylvania Battal- 
ion January 5, 1776; Judge Advocate Northern Army December 26, 1776; Major 5th 
Regiment Pennsylvania Line 1777. (v. Stille's "Wayne," 375 ; Heitman, 393.) 

117. John Graves Simcok, 1752-1806. Lieutenant Colonel of the "Queen's Rangers" 
1781, afterwards (lovernor of Canada, {v. Sinicoe's "Journal of the War in America," 
also Dictionary Nat. Biog., London, LII. 253.) 

118. James Caldwell. Member Philadelphia City Troop October, 1775; died Sep- 
tember 6, 1783 ; served in the campaigns of 1776-1779. 

119. Cannot identify him. 

120. Thomas Barclay. "In a grove of pines crowning a ridge overlooking the Del- 
aware, opposite Trtnton, there stood, upon the 8th of December, 1776, a mansion be- 
longing to Thomas Barclay of Philadelphia,'" &c. (?'. "New Jersey as a Colony and 
as a State," Lee, 1902, II. 141.) He was a member of the Committee of Correspondence 
for Philadelphia, 1774-1775, &c., and a member Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, g. i'.,p. 95. 

iji. LiBUT. James BuDDEN. (w. Note 50). 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 49 

dom passed, but got over and up to the house at Som- 
erset. The trial was short and quick, and the Sergeant 
Mason and James Ogden were condemned by Lord Sterhng 
to be hung the next morning by 9 o'clock, and Major Fish- 
bourne^^^ and the officers and our Troop to see it executed. 
You may suppose how I could pass such a night, and well 
recollect my obtaining a Bible, which, with prayers, was re- 
ceived by Sergeant Mason, but Ogden was so frightened that 
he could only repeat certain expressions and the name of our 
Saviour. I got leave for an hour to sleep at Lord Stirling's 
feet before the fire, and at daylight we were turned out and 
went down to the road near Morrisville, when a large tree 
was fixed on by Major Fishbourne and Nichols, and others 

122. Major Benjamin Fishbourne, born Philadelphia January 4, 1759; died Geor- 
gia—; erroneously given as "William Fishburn" in Appleton's Cyc. Am. Biog., H. 
464; son of William and Mary (Tallman) Fishbourne, and brother-in-law of Thomas 
Wharton, first President of the Supreme Executive Council of the State. (Life of Jo- 
seph'Reed, I. 112.) Thomas Wharton married, 2d, Elizabeth Fishbourne. (Keith, 25.) 
Her sister Sarah married John Mifflin, (/tf. 363.) 

Benjamin Fishbourne appears in public life, first as an applicant, September 24, 1776, 
to the Secretary ot War tor the appointment of Paymaster in Colonel Joseph Wood's 
Battalion Pennsylvania Troops, late commanded by Colonel St. Clair, but located at 
Ticonderoga in 1776. (Force's Archives, II. 490.) The E.xecutive Council recom- 
mended him for the position September 28, 1776. (Pa. Col. Rec, X. 735.) He was 
commissioned bv Congress Captain and Paymaster October i, 1776. (Force, II. 1384,) 
A letter from Colonel Woods at Ticonderoga, December 4, 1776, shows that he was at 
his post on that date, a bearer of a letter from President Wharton stating that the Penn- 
sylvania troops had not been paid. (id. III. 1358.) 

He was made Captain of a company in the Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, Conti- 
nental Line, January 3, 1777. (Pa. Arch., 2d S., X.496). Appointed February 17. 1779, 
Aide de Camp to General Anthony Wayne, with whom he served with rank of Major 
until 17S3. In the re-arrangement of the Fourth, January 17, 1781, he is again reported 
as Captain, continuingthus until January i, 1783, when he was transferred to the First 
Pennsylvania. In 1781 he was a member of the Court Martial that tried the two spies. 
Washington names him in his letter to Wayne, January 3, 1781, as "Major Fishbourn," 
also General Stirling in appointing Fishbourne on the Court Martial, January 10, 1781. 
(Stille's Lifeof Wayne, 252; Pa. .A.rch., 2d S., X. 665.) Wayne appeared much attached 
to him, and when wounded at Stonv Point, "turning to his aides de camp Captains 
Fishbourne and .'\rcher, he begged them to carry him to the interior of the Fort, where 
he wished to die should his wound prove mortal." (Wayne, 195.) In his official Re- 
port of this brilliant action, Wayne says: "I should be wanting in gratitude was I to 
omit mentioning Capt. Fishbourn & Mr Archer my two Aids De Camp, who on every 
Occasion shewed the greatest Intrepidity & Supported me into the works after I had 
received my wound in passing the last Abbatis." (id. 210.) 

Major Fishbourne served with Wayne until 1783, when he permanently located in Sa- 
vannah, Ga., where in 1787 he became a Member of the Georgia State Society of the 
Cincinnati. (Habersham Historical Coll., i. 39, ii. 634.) It was probably he to whom 
the Governor of Georgia referred in 17S9 during the Indian difficulties, thus : " I have 
directed Lieutenant Colonel Fishbourne to aid your arrangements for the defence of 
your valuable town, which I sincerelv hope will not be exposed to any danger." (Ste- 
vens' Georgia, II. 444; also Dawson's Stony Point, 51-S7, 74-79> 120.) 

Benjamin Fishbourne married, December 10, 1783, Annie Wiant, or Ware, of Geor- 
gia, who died, Savannah, 1798. He died. Mount Hope, Georgia, November 8, 1790. 
"He had three children who died young" ; but Hon. W. B. Reed, in the note referred 
to supra, says he had a daughter who married Joshua Clibborne. (Life of Joseph Reed, 
112.) One of the Orderly Books of Wayne, in the handwriting of Fishbourne, from Jan- 
uary to May, 1782, dated at Headquarters, Ebenezer, Ga., is in the Historical Society 
of Pennsylvania, and is partly published in the Pennsylvania Magazine of History. 



50 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

of our Troop brought in a wagon and a black boy belong- 
ing to Paddy's Ferry, as then called, and no rope could be 
had, when a servant sent to me came up with a stout halter 
on his horse, and Lieutenant Budden made the knot. The 
Sergeant died like a brave man, begging it should be so 
mentioned, "a true and faithful subject of George the 3d." 
Ogden was in a dreadful state, but we left him hanging and 
came on to Bristol and thence home. Sergeant Mason was 
a native of St. Johns, near Londonderry, Ireland, was mar- 
ried, and had promise of promotion in Colonel Delancey's 
"Horse." Ogden was a Jerseyman, connected with the 
family of Drake, then an Innkeeper at New Brunswick, New 
Jersey.^^ 

123. The following account of this tragic incident from the first manuscript of Mr. 
Conyngham is repeated here as published verbatim in the "History of the First Troop 
of Philadelphia City Cavalry," p. 28. It differs slightly from the amanuensis copy of 
the Reminiscences and illustrates more accurately Mr. Conyngham's style. It is given 
also as from the "Diary of an Unknovi'n Officer" in Pa. Arch., 2d S., XI. 670. 

"Upon our leaving our quarters at Mr. Schenck's house, we came upon a Picquet 
Guard of the Board of Sergeants, & were stopped, & taken before Sergeant Lyons & 
after a short detention, & explaining our orders, we were allowed to depart, the two 
spies. Mason & Ogden, were then in charge of this Guard. VVe proceeded on the 
Route to Amboy, & on a Post near South or Toms River, we fell in with Major Taylor 
with a party of Jersey Militia & having been instructed so to do, we told him to take 
up the Planks and even destroy the Bridge, if the Brittish should march that way, and 
■ that we would return on the gallop if we met them ; we rode on until Night, arid lodged 
in a farm-house off the Road. In the morning proceeded with Mr. Rattoon to his 
house at Perth Amboy, & were conducted privately by him into his House, where we 
had our Breakfasts and fed our Horses, after which, he took us to the roof of his house, 
whence we saw the Brittish Army, their men indulged in playing foot Ball. At last, 
from a Signal from the Ship, they beat to Arms, & we had to run fast, mount our Horses 
& ride off; the Ship firing Guns into the Wood that we passed along, & sent their Boats 
on Shore, but we were soon out of their Way, & returned to Princeton, &joined the 
Army in the March to Trenton, we being kept in the rear by order of the Sergeants. 
After reaching Trenton & relating to Gen. Wayne, at Bloomsbury, what we had seen 
& Done, we were sent to seek quarters; & after I had just secured lodgings, I received 
an Order to cross the river & join the Guard at Somerset, the house of Mr. Tho' Barclay, 
where the Spies were sent, and Lord Sterling and Gen'l Wayne and Major Fishborn 
were quartered. After great trouble & difficulty from the Ice in the Delaware, I reached 
it, & soon after we received Orders to bring up the Prisoners. Matters were soon set- 
tled by the Court Martial, & they were condemned to be hung next morning before 9 
o'clock, & the execution of the Order was given to Major Fishborn. Ogden was much 
agitated & overcome upon hearing his Sentence, but still expected it would not be 
effected. Mason seemed to feel his situation, but declared to the Writer that if they 
hung him, he was in fault, but that he would die a true and loyal Subject of George the 
3d. During the Night, while on Guard, they seriously asked me if they had any hopes; 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 51 

Well remember serving as Grand Jury Man in 1799, 
Judge James IredelP^'* presiding in the U. S. Court when 
Fries^^^ and the other Insurgents were brought to trial, but 
as I leave among my papers notes I made or took during 
the trial, to them refer as they perhaps way be at a future 
day of some importance. 

& I went & spoke with Gen' Wayne, who decidedly told me nothing could save them 
unless we let them escape, which would involve us in Trouble. I then procured a Bible 
from Mr. Barclay, and past the Night in Reading to them ; Mason was devout, but 
Ogden was in terror & distress. I got them something to eat, & in the Morning Ma- 
son slept a little while. After getting the best Breakfast we could obtain, and Our 
Troop having crossed the River and joined us, we were ordered to bring out the Spies, 
& their sentence being again read to them, and their hands secured by a rope, they 
were led to a Tree nearly back of Calvin's ferry-house, & his Waggon and a Negro 
pressed to hang them ; upon their being brought in the waggon to the Tree, a difficulty 
occurred for a Rope, when Lieut. Budden saw a New Rope Collar upon the horse my 
Servant was on, who had just arrived with cloaths, &c., for me from Philad.; with this, 
the business was soon finished, and before nine, having Orders to return home, we gal- 
loped off and left them hanging, & we reached home that evening, after a severe Week 
in Cold Weather." 

The following account of the affair is given by the translator of the Travels in Amer- 
ica of the Marquis de Chastellux. In a note on page 51 of the New York edition of 
1827, in speaking of the high sense of honour in the American Army, he says ; "We all 
remember, when their intolerable distresses drove part of them to revolt in 1780, when 
Clinton sent emissaries among them, with the most advantageous offers, and made a 
movement of his army to favour their desertion, that they disdainfully refused his 
offers, appealing to their honour, and delivered up with indignation the British emis- 
saries, who were excuted at Trenton. Mr. Hugh Shield and Mr. John Maxwell Nes- 
bitt, two Irish gentlemen settled at Philadelphia, who were entrusted with the care of 
them, informed the translator that one of them was an officer of some note in the Brit- 
ish Army." This person, the translator goes on to say, made an adroit effort to escape, 
which failed. The narrative is then continued. " 'I see, sir,' addressing Mr. Shield, 
'that you are faithful to the trust reposed in you, and that my die is cast ; but as you 
are a gentleman, I hope you will not fail to let General Clinton know that my fidelity is 
unshaken, that I die a faithful subject to George the Third, and that I hope he will not 
forget my family.' He then made a hearty breakfast of cold beef, and was executed 
with his companion on a tree near the river Delaware, full of courage, and making the 
same declarations. To account for the subordinate situation in which the Messrs. 
Nesbitt and Shield appear to have acted on this occasion, it is necessary to observe 
that on all emergencies the merchants of Philadelphia flew to arms and acted as com- 
mon soldiers." 

The above statement differs from the account in the Penna. Archives, 2d S., XI. 660, 
where it appears from the letter of Col. Matthias Slough that the care of the two spies 
was "committed to Messrs. Blair McClennahan and Alexander Nesbitt, who were sent 
by the Philadelphia Troop for the purpose." 

124. Judge James Iredell, {v. "Life and Correspondence of," by G.J. McRees, 
1857.) 

125. John Fries, (i/. "The Fries Rebellion," by Gen. W. H. H. Davis, 1899. Mr. 
Conyngham's notes on this trial are not extant.) 



52 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

Was early acquainted with the late Richard Peters/^*' 
Judge of the District Court, knew him when in his father's 
office before our Revolution. His talents, fun and humor- 
ous actions made him an acceptable and desirable compan- 
ion to and in all parties ; his services in our war want no 
record from my poor pen, but can safely say that few de- 
served it more, than what will appear for him. General 
Washington always esteemed him and his family ; and I, 
from a connection in our families, lived in close intimacy 
with him until his lamented death. Numerous anecdotes, 
could my memory serve, would show his agreeable ones, but 
can only occasionally bring them to mind. 

There is one of Dan Clymer/^ Judge Peters and George 
Campbell^^as lawyers, in one of their circuits at Reading, I 
believe, but how it ended I cannot recollect. Remember a 
Mr. Roach from New Bedford entertained by Mr. Nesbitt 
and a number of friends with the late Clement Biddle'^^ en- 
joying his (Mr, Nesbitt's) good wine and company. Mr. 
R. challenged any one to sing the greatest number of verses 
to the tune of Yankee Doodle, when the Judge took him 
up, and although Mr. R. had in memory a great number, 
yet the Judge, making the verses as they went along, kept 
it up until upwards of forty verses each were sung, and the 
company called out to stop the singing. Bon mots, puns, 
etc., can be added by many of his surviving friends and con- 
nexions. When Secretary of the Board of War he gave a 
large dinner to a number of the Generals — Washington, etc. 
— during which one of the guests who had asked for roast 
beef or some dish near the Secretary, applied for a second 
cut, which was sent him at application, being asked "rare," 

126. Hon. Richard Peters, (v. Appleton Cyc. Am. Biog., IV.743; Penna. Mag. 
Hist., XXIII. 205-209; Judge Peters' letter giving his family history, XXV. 366; Keith, 
135; Hazard's Register, II. 126, 251-256.) 

127. Daniel C. Clymer. (v. Penna. Mag. Hist., IX. 354 ; II. 126-251.) 

128. George Campbell, (z'. F'riendly Sons, 103.) 

129. Clement Biddle. (v. "Autobiography of Charles Biddle, 1745-1821," 441.) 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 53 

he said, "You will soon make it rare enough." A third 
and perhaps a fourth cut was called for, to which the Sec- 
retary made an outcry, "You shall cut, but you will 

never come again." 

When practicing as a lawyer in 1769 Judge Peters was 
retained by Col. Eliphalet Dyer^^" on the side of the Yan- 
kees or Connecticut Claimants^^^ versus the Pennamites, and 
a large number having been taken by the Sheriff^^^ of old 
Northampton and brought down to Easton, the Gaol then 
being built of logs, could only hold from 20 to 30 persons, 
and the Judges and Lawyers not knowing what to do with 
so many demanding daily of the Sheriff bread and quarters, 
he told me he went among them and advised them to go 
home, and meeting Colonel E. Dyer, asked him to walk out 
with him to talk over the business they had in hand, and 
returning went to the prison, when the Sheriff told them 
that the whole party of Yankees had gone off The Court, 
I understood from him, was well pleased, as the expense 
was great, and the issue or rate of punishment was uncer- 
tain. Colonel Dyer was alarmed, and dreaded his being 
security for the deserters. 

The Judge being one day in a great hurry, and called 
upon to ask a party to dinner, upon going home and being 
told that he must go to market and send home a leg of 
mutton, he went and in a short time sent home five legs of 
mutton ; but the writer has heard him accused of sending 
home fourteen legs of mutton, or having bought as many. 
He was never asked to market again. 

130. Colonel Eliphalet Dyer. {v. National Cyc. Am. Biog., XI. 172.) 

131. This was in 1769, the first Pennamite War, of which Miner gives an account in 
his History of Wyoming, Chapter IX. 103-113, q. v. ; also Colonial Rec. Pa. IX. 588, 
602, 626. 

132. John Jennings, Sheriff of Northampton County, October 5, 1767-1769— No- 
vember 5, 1777-1778 ; Justice, November 19, 1764, March 15, 1766, March 9, 1774. (Pa. 
Arch., 2d S., III. 756, IX. 792-795.) His Deposition respecting Wyoming will be found 
in Penna. Arch., IV. 342-344. 



54 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

John Riddle^^' was a tailor in Arch, near Third street, and 
worked for the Judge and others of that standing. How he 
and the Judge differed I know not, but the Judge has told 
me that he was determined to have some fun with or satis- 
faction of Riddle ; and being in the habit of hoisting his 
shoulders, and could readily do this same trick, upon call- 
ing upon Riddle to measure him for a coat, he went in and 
hoisted his right shoulder, and told Riddle to remember to 
make great allowance for the shape ; but when he went to 
try on the coat he hoisted the left shoulder, and showed 
Riddle how he was mistaken. Never was a man more 
astonished ; but he declared he was ruined if such a mis- 
take was known, or attributed to him or his inaccuracy, 
when the Judge let him off by his altering the coat, the 
shoulders being brought out right. I had this from himself 
more than once. 

In reading in Watson's "Philadelphia" I find several state- 
ments that I could put right, one of which is about Judge 
Peters. Watson says that the Rev. Richard Peters^^^ was 
his father, which is a mistake. I knew his Reverence well 
as a boy. He was Rector of " Christ Church," and was 
never married or had any family. The father of the Judge, 
William Peters,'^* came from Knutsford, in Lancashire, Eng- 
land ; was there an Attorney, and the Judge has told me 
was the first one who gave a brief to Lord Mansfield. He 
was Register and Recorder in my day, and the Judge acted 
as Clerk in his office. He went to England and died there, 

133. John Riddle. "Taylor, 34 Mulberry street," Philadelphia Directory, 1791. 

134. Ralph Peters, of Liverpool, Lancashire, Gent, was a Barrister, Town Clerk of 
Liverpool, and Sheriff of Lancashire. He had— 

i. IVilliam, admitted to practice Law in London ; in practice Philadelphia 1739. 
(Martin's "Bench and Bar," 301.) He died, England, before 1782. He had 
Judge Richard Peters, Jr., LL. D. Note 126. Judge Peters was the father of 
Ralph Peters, whose daughter was the first wife of Edward Rodman Mayer, 
M. D., the beloved physician of Wilkes-Barr6. 

ii. Rev. Richard, Wadham College, Oxford University, England : matriculated 8th 
April, 1731, aged 20; D. D. by Diploma 2 May, 1770, then rector of Christ 
Church and St. Peter's, Philadelphia. (Alumni Oxiensis, Vol. IV. 1102.) 



^^. u 








CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 55 

but I think he was never Collector here in this Port. His 
widow I knew ; she died and was buried in this city after 
the Judge had been married and had several children. 

Well remember Judge Peters dining with me before the 
election of Jackson and Adams, and our talking over old 
times, and making our decision against Jackson and deter- 
mining to vote for Adams. We then fairly put it down, as 
two old Washington men, that Jackson would eventually 
treat the Nation in such a way as either to be turned out, 
or perhaps brought to trial for waste of public money, or a 
war, or about the U. S. Bank, or some matter into which he 
would be run by advisers from the Western Country, or be 
impeached for misconduct. 

The fitting out of the "Hyder Alley," ^*' that captured the 
"General Monk"^^^ in our Bay, arose thus: John Wright 
Stanley'^^ of North Carolina had loaded the "Hyder Alley" 
with tobacco, and she had either called in here for a crew, 
or to arrange the consignment intended for Jonathan Nes- 
bitt of L'Orient, when she was so closely watched by the 
"Monk," or other British Cruziers in our Bay that Mr. Stan- 
ley could not obtain insurance, nor could he get her manned 
and sailed, which occurring as laid before the persons un- 
derwriting in Donaldson & Crawford's Insurance Office,^^ 
it was suggested and agreed to, that an engagement should 
be entered into and signed, not only to pay the expense and 

135. "Hydkr Alley." {v. Watson, II. 224; Colonial Records Pa., XIII.; Penna. Ar- 
chives, IX. 531, 532, 621, &c.) 

136. "General Monk." (v. Penna. Archives, IX. 532.) 

137. John Wright Stanley, merchant, New Berne, Craven County, North Caro- 
lina. His ships were used during the Revolutionary War to bring supplies from the 
West Indies to the Continental Army. He was son of John Stanley of New Berne, 
1774-1834, who was Member House of Commons 179S-1S26 ; Member U. S. Congress 
1783-1787; 1801-1803; 1S09-1811. Killed Governor Richard Dobbs Spaight of North 
Carolina in a duel 1802. His grandson, Richard Stanley, was Speaker of the House of 
Commons, Member U. S. Congress 1837-1853, and Military Governor of North Caro- 
lina 1862. 

138. Donaldson and Crawford. John Donaldson and James Crawford were part- 
ners in the Insurance business 1778. (Friendly Sons, 107, 108.) 



56 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

abide the loss, but that the "Hyder Alley" should be armed, 
equipped and fitted to drive off all small Cruiziers, and to 
capture and destroy such as could be taken. The altera- 
tion, landing cargo and equipment was given to Mr. Stan- 
ley and John Wilcocks,*^^ and our subscription was paid too, 
and on capture of the " Monk" we received it back except 
for the 4-lb. shot, which I well recollect the delivery of from 
our stores. The "Monk" was captured April 8, 1782. 

Captain Joshua Barney"" was appointed Commander, and 
so secretly was the business managed that but few knew 
that the " Hyder Alley" had sailed until the news of the 
capture of the "General Monk" came to town. I saw the 
ships at Willing's wharf, and the blood was running from 
the scuppers of the English ship, whose capture was a glo- 
rious one for our merchants, and cleared our Bay from 
large and small British Cruziers. I have heard it said that 
besides the resolution and bravery of the "Bold Barney," as 
he was called, he gained an advantage by agreeing and di- 
recting his officers and crew to receive the word of com- 
mand given by him with his trumpet, "Boarders and Board- 
ers, prepare," and again, "Boarders, do your duty," which 
was meant to "fire and keep close," and which, as they neared 
the " Monk," the officers of that ship prepared to repel 
boarding, when the shot from the " Hyder Alley," then 
close up, killed and wounded so many that the blood ran 
from the scuppers, and she was forced to strike to Bold 
Barney and his gallant crew. The "Monk" was purchased 
by the United States, and the command given to Captain 
Barney, as a Packet and Cruzier on voyages to France, and 
the " Hyder Alley" again was loaded and went to Europe 
safely. 

Also well recollects the fitting out of the ship "Shille- 

139. John Wilcocks, probably John Wilcocks, merchant, 30 North 3d St., 1791. 

140. Capt. Joshua Barmev. {v. Nat. Cyc. Am. Biog., IV. 167.) 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 5/ 

lah,""^ Captain Holmes ;"^ thinks she was the handsomest 
ship he ever saw ; was built by Thomas Penrose,"^ pierced 
for 24 guns, which were on board when she lay off Market 
street, but, as one of the owners, I understood they were to 
be put in flats above New Castle, but the Captain, and John 
Donaldson and James Crawford refused, supposing they 
would make prizes on their voyage to I'Orient, but she 
never arrived nor was heard of Our loss was heavy. 

Passengers : 2d Officer Lieutenant Barber,"* J. Benezett,^" 
William Erskin,"^ William Lardner,"^ Colonel Palfrey,"^ 

141. Ship "Shillklah" sailed from the Delaware December, 1780. No other men- 
tion ofher has been found except that in a Sketch of Colonel William Palfrey, of which 
see Note No. 148. 

142. Captain Holmes. In 1780 Captain Holmes was commander of the ship "Charm- 
ing Polly,"' 18 guns, and the brig "Telegraph," 18 guns. 

143. Thomas Penrose, "Ship Carpenter, 108 South Wharves, 27 and 36 Swanson 
St., 85 Peiin St.," Philadelphia, 1791. Was employed by the Executive Council July, 
1776, with Arthur Donaldson, to fix the piers near Fort Island, &c. (Col. Rec, X. 648.) 

144. Lieutenant Barber, unknown. 

145. J. Benezet. John or James Benezet, Philadelphia; alive 1780; dead 1781, as 
per Philadelphia Tax Lists. Penna. Archives, 3d S. {v. Note 51, p. 211.) 

146. William Erskinh, merchant of Philadelphia ; native of Ireland ; Member 
Friendly Sons of St. Patrick 1780. {v. Hist. Friendly Sons, no.) "He died about the 
end of the year 1781. He was lost at sea." No mention is made in the brief sketch, of 
the vessel in which he was lost. Will probated January 5, 1782. Names William 
West, John Donaldson and J. M. Nesbitt executors. Names also his mother, Mary 
Erskine, of Muff, near Derry, Ireland, brother John, sisters Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, 
and aunt Jane Reed. 

147. William Lardner was a taxable, Mulberry Ward, Philadelphia, 1779-1781, but 
dead 1781 ; probably he was the one who was lost at sea. 

148. Colonel William Palfrey, born Boston February 24, 1741 ; died December, 
1780 ; an enthusiastic patriot ; Major and Aide de Camp to General Charles Lee July 
16, 1775 ; Lieutenant Colonel and Aide de Camp to General Washington March 6, 1776; 
Lieutenant Colonel and Paymaster General April 27, 1776; U. S. Consul General to 
France November 4, 1780. No sketch appears of him except in Sparks' Am. Biog., 1848, 
2d S., pp. 335-448, which states that "on the 20th of December, 1780, he went down to 
Chester, Pa., to embark on board the Shillalah, an armed ship of sixteen guns. On the 
23d he put on shore, at Wilmington, a few lines of farewell to his family. This was the 
last of William Palfrey. The Shillalah was never heard of after she left the Capes. Bar- 
low has some lines in the "Columbiad" (Bk. I. line 627) referring to the supposed man- 
ner of his loss, beginning 

"Say, Palfrey, brave, good man, was this thy doom," &c. 



58 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

and I believe his son,"^ and William Gorman, servant to 
Mr, Benezett. The Shillalah sailed December, 1780. 

Went from Cork to Bordeaux in the brig "Bacchus," Cap- 
tain Sullivan, in 1784, and was received by Mr. Delap^^° and 
lodged in his house on the Chartron ; passed, by advice of 
Mr. Delap, the summer at Clairac, a town situated at the 
meeting of the Lotte with the Garonne, about 15 leagues 
above Bordeaux, abounding in Hugenots, and fruits, say 
peaches, grapes, plums, prepared there in abundance, in 
ovens, for prunes, as exported. In November went to Paris, 
and as usual with strangers, saw the curiosities of that 
great city; among others, or first. King Louis, the 15th; 
Louis i6th, then Dauphin; Louis i8th, or Monsieur; 
Charles loth, then Count D'Artoix. Went over to Eng- 
land by Havre de Grace, Dieppe and Calais, and stopped at 
the Devill Tavern in London, and being called off thence 
by accounts and letters from Dublin that his father was ill 
there, went off by post chaise and crossed at HoUyhead, 
when he found that his father had recovered. Remembers 
when in England he saw George, the King, and Queen 
Charlotte, George, Prince of Wales, 4th King. 

Went to Portugal from Falmouth in the Packet, passing 
in his way by Plymouth, Exeter, and the route from Lon- 
don. Saw the King and Queen of Portugal,^*^ also Pedro 
and his Infanta, after King and Queen, being uncle and 
niece, being married by a Bull from the Pope. 

Saw in England the King of Denmark*^^ on a visit, also 
Pascal Paoli of Corsica.'^^ Joseph, the 2d Emperor of Aus- 

149. This must be an error. The sketch of Colonel Palfrey in Sparks' American Bi- 
ography was written by the son of Colonel Palfrey, who makes no mention of any other 
member of his family having been lost in the Shillalah. 

150. Delap, one of the firm of Samuel and J. flans Delap, merchants, Bordeaux. 

151. Joseph Emmanuel, and Dom Pedro III. and his wife Maria I., daughter of Jo- 
seph and niece of Pedro. 

152. Christikrn Vn., 1749-1808. 

153. Pascal Paoli, 1726-1807, the Corsican hero, a pensioner of England after 1770. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. $g 

tria, travelled incognito, as Count of Lichtenstein ; saw him in 
Bordeaux. In the year 1775, being on business in Holland, 
saw the "Stadholder"^^* and the present King of Holland,"® 
as Prince of Orange. Was personally acquainted with 
Louis Philippe, present King of France, as Duke of Orleans, 
who stayed four days in my house on his arrival here.^^^ 
Thinks he once saw King William of England, as an officer 
in the British Navy. 

He was also acquainted with, or could say that he had 
shaken hands with most, if not all, of the members of Con- 
gress who signed the Declaration of Independence. He has 
shaken hands with six generations in two respectable fami- 
lies in this city. 

Was in habits of intimacy and social intercourse with 
General Washington and family during their residence in 
Philadelphia, and received his thanks in Jersey, at Somerset 
Court House, by General Moylan,'" as a member of the ist 
City Troop of Horse, and particularly and personally the 
same from him at Carlisle, Penna., when he left his station 
and gave them to me as having marched under his call and 
orders on the Western Expedition. 

Was told on the street that a person passing by was Jo- 
seph Bonaparte, King of Spain. Saw Jerome Bonaparte 
when in this country — several times the King of Westphalia. 

Well remember and was at the Ball given by the Cheva- 
Her de Luzerne^^^ [July I5. ^7^^] on the birth of the Dau- 
phin, son of Louis i6th. Knew the Marquis Fayette^**^ well, 

154. William, v. 

155. Leopold, King of Belgium, made King of Holland 1831. 

156. Louis Philippe, (z/. Note 201.) 

157. General Stephen Moylan of Pennsylvania, Aide de Camp to General Wash- 
ington 1776. (v. Heitman, 303; Nat. Cyc. Am. Biog., L 56.) 

158. Chevalier de La Luzerne, (v. Sketch by Hon. E. L. Dana, the fullest ever 
published, Proceedings Wyoming Hist. -Geolog. Soc, VL 69-96; Watson, L 104, 377 ; 
Westcott, 855,922; Stone's "Our French Allies," 1884,505-508, speaks of the Ball at 
length.) 

159. La Fayette (v. "Marquis de La Fayette in the American Revolution," Tow- 
ers, 1895.) 



60 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

and at his desire I gave a party to the officers of the French 
Army during their stay on their route to Yorktown. Count 
Rochambeau^'''' refused to attend, but Count Chastellux^®^ 
alludes to it in his "Book of Travels." Was well acquaint- 
ed with the Duke of Lauzun/^^ the Counts Dillon'^' (old 
and young), the Duke de Enghien,^*'* then known by "Prince 
Gimini," and, as before, Chastellux and others, and, in fact, 
with all or most all of the French officers. 

Was at a Ball given by Captain Latouche,^^ on board the 
frigate "Hermione," off the Drawbridge Wharf j^"^ went off 
in boats and flats, and had a most agreeable and pleasant 
dance and entertainment. 

Was intimate and in confidence with Dr. Franklin and 
Silas Deane when in Paris, having visited that city with Cap- 
tain Gustavus Conyngham,^*^^ and obtained jointly with Wil- 
liam Hodge'^^ the commission for him to sail as commander 
of the cutter "Revenge," for which Mr. William Hodge was 
put in the Bastile, and I escaped under the pass of Count 
de Vergennes^^" to carry despatches to Nancy for schooner 
"Jeniser,"^" Captain Hammond, that was lost and never 
heard of after she sailed. 

i6o. Count de Rochambeau. (v. "The French in America," Balch, 213; "Our 
French Allies," Stone, 521 ; "Marins et Soldat Francaise en Amerique," &c., de Noa- 
illes, 1903, 141-251.) 

161. Chevalier de Chastellux. {v. Balch, 77-79; Chastellux "Travels in North 
America," 1780-1782, New York, 1828, 9-10.) 

162. Duke de Lauzun. (v. Balch, 160-163.) 

163. Counts de Dillon, {v. Balch, 102-104.) 

164. Duke de Enghien, 1772-1804. (v. Larousse Biog. Die, VII. 572.) 

165. La Touohe-Treville, 1745-1S04, commanded the Frigate "Hermione," in 
which, 1780, he brought back to America, Lafayette and other officers. He attained 
the rank of Vice Admiral 1801. The "Hermione" under him engaged in several brill- 
iant actions. She accompanied the Viscount de Rochambeau to France October, 1780. 
(v. Balch, 239-240 ; "Marins et Soldat Francais en Amerique," 1903, 173, &c.) 

167. Drawbridge Wharf, {v. Ritter, 40; Watson, I. 336.) 

168. (v. Note 10, p. 197.) 

169. Captain William Hodge, Jr. {v. Note 232.) 

170. Charles Gravier Vergennes, Count de, 1717-1787. 

171. Schooner Jeniser, unknown. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 6l 

The first Flag or Stripes^^^ had been hoisted up the Brit- 
ish Channel by Captain G. Conyngham when he captured 
the "Harwich" Packet. 

The death of Stephen Girard^^^ has occasioned a great 
agitation in our city, and not without great reason. I be- 
lieve I am the only old or first acquaintance he had here. 
I remember his arriving in a sloop or schooner from 
Charleston in 1779 or 1780; he had letters to Ramsey and 
Coxe/''^ our next door neighbours, and from them or from 
Lawrence & Morris,^^^ was applied to assist Stephen Girard 
to sail for Charleston from the want of provisions, and hav- 
ing some beef and pork in the cellar on same account as the 
supply mentioned by me as given to General Washington, 
spared him some barrels, for which I can say we are not 
paid to this day. 

His funeral was uncommonly large ; and his success be- 
ing greater than could generally attend merchants, I add to 
his character my belief that he was worthy thereof in every 
respect. 

Remembers, December 4, 1779, being married at White- 
marsh on Saturday. The month being cold and wind N. E. 
Friday was dark and heavy and cold. Sunday, the 5th, 
snow began and continued falling until Monday, after which 
he went out and passed over fences and ravines (the places 
that are now turnpikes and frequently travelled), back and 
forward to the city, and until March 13th never saw earth 
or ground, the snow and ice being firm.^^^ 

Thinks he can well recollect the rejoicing for the success 

172. Flag of Stripes, (v. Jones' "Captain Gustavus Conyngham," who thinks this 
was the rattlesnake flag.) As one of the executors of Captain Conyngham, D. H. Con- 
yngham presented this flag to the State of Pennsylvania. It once hung over the Speak- 
er's chair in the Hall of the Pennsylvania Assembly. Dr. Egle sought for it in vain. 

173. Stephen Girard died December 26, 1S31, aged 84. {v. Appleton's Cyc. Am. 
Biog.; National Cyc. Am. Biog., VH. ii ; Ritter, 71, 143.) 

174. Ramsey & Coxe, 92 or 98 Front St.; not in Ritter. 

175. Lawrence & Morris, not in Ritter. 

176. Watson gives no account of this fourteen weeks of snow, II. 347-369. 



62 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

or capture of Cape Breton^"^ (or peace of 1763) from the 
circumstances of a stage off Market street wharf, having 
stuffed apparent bodies of men, being blown up into the 
water with gunpowder, which we as boys rejoiced and 
shouted at. 

Although very young, remembers the troops returning 
after Braddock's defeat; Colonel Dunbar,^^^ Colonel Leslie,"* 
and particularly Captain John Conyngham,^^" being wound- 
ed in his arm, lodged with my father, and I have often 
talked with him, when under his care at school at Mr. 
Brady's, William street, Dublin (he my Guardian). 

A horse that had been saved and used to the drum had 
nearly hurt my mother when driving him in a chaise, by 

177. Caps Breton was re-ceded to England by France, 1763. 

178. Colonel Thomas Dunbar, {v. History Braddock's Expedition, Sargent, 267.) 

179. Captain Matthew Leslie, {v. idem, 243.) 

180. Captain John Conyngham of Cranford, grandson of Adam Conyngham of 
Cranford, who died 1749, who was brother of Captain David Conyngham of Letter- 
kenny. He was a cousin to David H. Conyngham, Captain of H. M. 63d Regiment, 
serving with Braddock, probably on leave of absence. He was severely wounded in 
the action of July 9, 1755. His name does not appear in the List of Officers published 
in Sargent's History of Braddock's Expedition. But the author especially notes his 
presence (p. 243) thus, after describing the rescue of Captain Treby of the 44th by Mr. 
Farrell of his company : 

"And equally magnanimcus was the enthusiastic bravery of the men of Captain 
John Conyngham's Company. At the first fire his horse was shot down and he 
he himself severely wounded. Falling beneath the animal's body, all his efforts to ex- 
tricate himself would have been in vain had not his soldiers, 'for the love they bore 
him,' rushed to his relief; and while many of their number were shot dead in the 
attempt, succeeded finally in bearing him in triumph from the spot." Mr. Sargent 
derives his knowledge of this incident from a letter written by Captain Matthew Leslie 
of the 44th, which is given below. He adds : "In 1763 there was no one of this name 
in either the 44th or the 4Sth regiment ; but in 1765 a John Conyngham appears as Lieu- 
tenant Colonel 29th Foot, date of commission February 13, 1762, and a John Conyng- 
ham as Captain in the 7th Foot, October 15, 1759." As there were two of the name, 
father and son, it is difficult to determine which one was with Braddock. Captain John 
of Cranford of H. M. 63d Regiment is referred to by his uncle. Rev. William Conyng- 
ham, in a letter to his nephew. Lord Plunket, in 1778, and his son. Captain John of H. 
M. 43d Regiment, was A. D. C. to General Sir Charles Grey at the taking of the West 
India Islands 1762, where he distinguished himself and received the special thanks 01 
his Commander-in-Chief. 

The following letter from Captain Matthew Leslie to a responsible merchant of 
Philadelphia, supposed to be Redmond Conyngham, is from Hazard's Register, V. 191 : 

Captain Matthew Leslie to . "July 30, 1755. Dear Sir: You have heard the 

disastrous termination of our expedition, with the loss of our General and most of 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 63 

attempting to join the drummer and his party in Market 
street. Horse was presented to my father or lent on the 
occasion for a ride. 

Remembers well the approach and threats in 1764 of the 
Paxtang Boys^^^ to murder the Indians who were lodged 
in the wings or rooms of the State House (now public 
offices) ; has often been up there and seen them in their 
natural habits. Companies were formed and paraded to 
resist the attempt, and Captain Bradford's'*'^ Company, 
Lieutenant Joseph Wharton,'^' was admitted by the friends 
into the Quaker meeting, then at the corner of Second and 
Market streets, for shelter, it raining very hard, and upon 
an alarm being giving that they were coming into town, 

the army. What could bravery accomplish ag^ainst such an attack, as sudden as it was 
unexpected? The yell of the Indians is fresh on my ear, and the terrific sound will haunt 
me until the time of my dissolution. I cannot describe the horrors of the scene ; no pen 
could do it, and no painter could delineate it so as to convey to you with any accuracy 
our unhappy situation. Our friend. Captain John Conyngham, is severely wounded ; 
his horse fell on the first fire, and before he could be disengaged from the animal, which 
had fallen on him, received a wound on his arm ; and his life was saved by the enthu- 
siasm of his men, who, seeing his danger, rushed between the savages and him and 
carried him in triumph from the spot. I need not tell you that the Captain is indebted 
for his life to the love his men had for him. Many had sacrificed their lives before he 
could be extricated from the horse. If you have an opportunity please to communicate 
the sad intelligence to our friends in Ireland. Tell them I live, but that my feelings 
have been dreadfully wounded. To tell you what I did I cannot ; suffice it I acted as 
all brave men placed like me in a similar situation would act. We have lost gallant 
officers and generous friends, not in battle, for that we could bear, but by murder, by 
savage butchery. The French dared not openly meet us ; ours is the loss, theirs the 
disgrace. When we meet 1 will give you the particulars. Captain Conyngham is doing 
well. I hope we shall soon be nnder your hospitable roof in Philadelphia. 

"With great regard, your distressed friend, Leslie." 

Captain Leslie, "Matthew Lesley, Gent, Assistant Qm. G." (Gentlemen's Mag.), 
was probably a relative of Mr. Conyngham. The Rt. Rev. John Leslie, the Bishop of 
Raphoe, married Katherine, fourth daughter of Alexander Conyngham, Dean of Ra- 
phoe, and the descendants intermarried, and it was probably to Mr. Conyngham's home 
he went on his return to Philadelphia. 

Captain Conyngham returned to Dublin, where in 1767 and 1768 he was the Guardian 
of David H. Conyngham during the latter's attendance on his studies in connexion 
with the University of Dublin. 

181. Paxtang Boys. {v. Egle's Hist. Dauphin Co., Pa., pp. 59-78; Col. Rec. Pa., 
vol. IX ; Watson, II. 167; Graydon, 46-50; Westcott, 240-1.) 

182. Capt. William Bradford, 1719-1791. {v. N. Y. Bio.-Gen. Rec, IV. 185-186; 
Pa. Arch., 2d S., 179.) 

183. Lieut. Joseph Wharton, {v. Pa. Mag. Hist., I. 457.) 



64 CONYNGIIAM REMINISCENCES. 

Captain Ben. Loxley'^* of the Artillery had his fusee Hghted 
and was ready to fire, but it proved to be Captain Hoff- 
man's^*' Company or Troop of Horse. 

Mounted guard at the old Battery, now Navy Yard, 1772, 
when it was supposed that the "Gaspee"'^® British schooner, 
or King's schooner, was coming up, and seeing a vessel come 
round the point, turned out the guard, having stood senti- 
nel two hours at the Schuylkill gun,^^^ being a soldier in 
Captain John Cadwalader's Company of green light Infan- 
try or Silk Stockings.^^ 

Bringing down my reminiscenses, or rather occurrences, 
to January, 1832, have to observe that the winter set in 
with uncommon severity and earlier than usual ; snow, sleet 
and severe cold prevailed, and our river was filled with ice 
and the country covered with snow. It, however, had be- 
gun to give way, and a partial opening for navigation has 
taken place, January 24th. 

News has come from Wilkes-Barre of an uncommon ice 
fresh, '^'' such as has not happened for 50 years ; great dam- 
age is known to be done to bridges, etc., and much dread 
still of further accounts. Shall suspend my writing until 
more and fuller intelligence reaches us. Well recollect the 
fresh on the Schuylkill,^'''' when the colt was taken out of the 
house of Mr. Ogden, southeast corner of the permanent 
bridge ; the damage was great, but much fear the present 
ones will be greater in the Susquehanna. 

184. Capt. Benjamin Loxley. (v. Watson, III. 266; Graydon (1S46), 47.) 

185. Capt. Hoffman, unknown. 

186. "Gaspek." (v. Lossiiig, I. 628-630.) 

187. Schuylkill Gun. {v. "History of the Schuylkill Fishing Co., &c., 1732-1888," 
PP- 300-321.) 

188. Silk Stocking Co. (v. Note 9, p. 196.) 

189. Wilkks-Barre Icf, Flood, 1832. There is no record of this flood. Pearce 
mentions the flood of January, 1831, and May, 1833. Ice floods have been common on 
the Susquehanna. The great floods that have done most damage occurred in 1784, 
1786, 1807, 1865 and 1902. These were historic in their severity ; that of 1S65 was the 
highest, and that of 1902 did the most damage. 

190. Schuylkill Flood, {v. Watson, II. 366-368.) 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 65 

My reminiscences occurring daily can only place them as 
they occur. The present Duchess of Sussex^^^ was at an 
Assembly then held in Lodge Alley /^^ now by the Bank of 
Pennsylvania; danced in a contre dance with them. Mr. 
John Ingliss^^^ was usher. She was the daughter of Lord 
Dunmore. Lady Dunmore was with her. 

Remember the Ball given to General Washington at Oel- 
lier's Hotel/''* or Swanwick's Tavern/^' one of the most ex- 
cellent in very respect. 

Remembers skating to and from Gloucester Point several 
times as a boy, and an attempt made to go up to Burling- 
ton, but could not succeed, owing to the breaks at dif- 
ferent places ; but was told that General Cadwalader had 
left Burlington and brought a loaf of bread warm from 
thence to Philadelphia, he being on skates. He (General 
Cadwalader), Governor Mifflin and Samuel Massey were 
the best skaters in my boyhood.^^* 

Went several times in 1779-80 on the ice at the Draw- 
bridge, and in sleighs to Gloucester Point, Remembers 
that at least two oxen^^'^ or more were roasted on the ice, 
and ruts were made of several inches deep, carrying wood 
and marketing across from Jersey. 

191. John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, 1732-1809, Governor of Virginia 1772- 
1777, married, February 21, 1759, Charlotte Stewart, daughter of Alexander, Sixth 
Earl of Galloway. Their second daughter, Augusta de Ameland, married, Rome, 
Italy, April 4, 1793, Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, and was re-married to 
the same Decembers, 1793, at St. George's Church, Hanover Square. By an Act of 
Parliament the marriage was so far invalid as to cut off its issue from a right of succes- 
sion to the throne. 

192. Lodge Alley, on the west side of Second street, between Chestnut and Walnut 
streets. 

193. John Ingliss, one of the firm of Willing, Inglis and Morris, 1778-1783. He died 
September 15, 1783. In March, 1759, he was appointed one of the Commissioners to 
settle the accounts of the Expedition against Fort Duquesne. (Col. Rec. Pa., VIII. 323.) 

194. Oellers' Hotel, the "King of Poland Hotel," kept by Philip Oellers, Vine 
street, between Fifth and Sixth. (Watson, III. 345.) 

195. Swanwick's Tavern, not in Watson or Wescott. 

196. Skating. Graydon says, p. 60 : "The two reputed best skaters of my day were 
General Qohn] Cadwalader and Massey, the biscuit baker." 

197. Ox Roast, (v. Graydon, foot note, p. 60.) 



66 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

Well remembers when Negro slaves were brought from 
Africa, and Captain Badger (and others not recollected) had 
them over at Cooper's ferry in Jersey, where houses on the 
shore were built to keep them in daytime, when the 
schooner or vessels lay off; a railing or pens were run into 
the water to keep those allowed to swim from running off, 
and knew and remembers several bought from those cruel 
merchants. 

Remembers the Negro Burial Ground,^^® now improved 
into Washington Square ; a spring then in it used to give 
us minnows or small fish to go out to the Schuylkill to fish 
with as boys. A piece of wood marked one grave as fol- 
lows: 

" Here lies Dinah, Sambo Wife 

Sambo lub him like he Life 

Dinah died 3 weeks agoe 

Sambo Massa tell he so." 

Some others and even memorials of strangers were there, 
but the writer cannot remember them. 

In continuing my reminiscences, how a connexion with 
Walter Stewart,™ afterwards General in the American Army, 
came about, and will perhaps furnish the best historial facts 
relative to him with exception of those in field of battle. 
My father Redmond Conyngham, then of Letterkenny, Ire- 
land, knowing my apprenticeship would end in 1772, agreed 
with the mother and friends of Mr. Stewart that he should 
come out as apprentice to the house of Conyngham, Nesbitt 
& Co., which actually took place during my voyage to Eu- 
rope before designated. His character, handsome appear- 
ance, etc., not only secured him friends, but on the breaking 
out of the troubles with England were enhanced by his tak- 
ing a decided part in favour of America, and he was one of 

198. Negro Burial Ground, then a part of "Potter's Field," now "Washington 
Square." {v. Westcott, 2356.) 

199. Colonel Walter Stewart, (r^. Note 86). 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 6/ 

the first in Captain Cadwalader's Company,^'^ and proved 
an uniform and steady one, opposed to British Tyranny. 
His active conduct procured him a commission in the Army, 
and on the calling out a Battalion, he got the command of 
a Regiment, I think the 2d Pennsylvania, serving with hon- 
our, beloved by all the Army, and particularly by General 
Washington. I shall now refer to my meeting him on fur- 
lough at Norfolk, when I was driven on shore by the 
enemy. He always quartered with us at Mr. Nesbitt's 
house, and many pleasant and alarming days we have spent 
together. 

Leaving the campaign, etc., of the Army, I shall come 
round to the time that General Stewart was married to Mr. 
McClenachan's^'^^ daughter. Mr. McClenachan was supposed 
to be a rich and successful speculator in Privateers, etc., 
from whom I believe we did receive large supplies, not only 
for support, but at the peace of 1783 to enable him to enter a 
mercantile engagement with Alexander Nesbitt,^*^^ a brother 
of John M. Nesbitt, by which connexion our houses were 
led into many engagements. 

My feelings for and trust in the honour and real friend- 
ship of Walter Stewart was shown him through life, and 
I had his hand in mine when he died, and took his wife out 
of the room ; old Mr. Stamper^"^ being then present. 

Having mentioned the fact of Louis Philippe'"^ being one 
of my acquaintances, will state the cause and means that 
led thereto. 

200. Captain Cadwalader's Company, {v. Note 9, p. 96.) 

201. Blair McClenachan. (z/. Friendly Sons, 126; Simpson, 736.) 

202. Alexander Nesbitt. (z/. Note 67.) 

203. Stamper, probably Henry Stamper, mariner, 39 Catherine street, 1791. 

204. Louis Philippe, 1730-1850. King of France 1830-1848 ; fled to America under a 
Danish passport as L. P. B. Orleans and arrived in Philadelphia October 21, 1796. He 
paid 35 guineas for his passage, {v. Westcott, 485; Watson, I. 555; Abbott's History 
of Louis Philippe, 1899, and Grand Dictionaire Universel du XIX Siecle, Larousse, 2, 
438.) 



68 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

Our ship "America," ^"^ Captain Ewing, being expected 
from Hamburg, October, 1796, the writer with some friend, 
was in the usual habit of walking down to where the Navy- 
Yard now is, and seeing a ship come round the point, it grew 
near dark, but followed her up, and along the wharf was told 
it was Captain Ewing, who anchored his ship off Walnut 
street, and upon coming up there some one told him that I 
was there ; when Captain Ewing heard it he ran up to me, 
and took me to one side, telling me he had the Duke of 
Orleans as a passenger, saying he did not know where to 
take him to lodge, as he, the Duke, objected to going to any 
public tavern, or lodging house, upon which I asked him to 
introduce us to one another. Upon my speaking to him in 
French he seemed quite delighted and seemed to ask my 
protection. Assuring him that he had nothing to fear, but 
that, if he would accept a room and bed in my house, I 
offered it to him willingly, and fixing that his servant should 
also be accommodated. I was walking off with him when 
he, in a feeling manner, told me had promised not to part 
with a young Frenchman whose name I forgot; but again told 
him I would have him accommodated for the night, and 
walked up with him to our house in Front street, where my 
family received him, and his stay with us was some days. 
After sending him in the morning to the French Minister, 
Mr. Fauchet,^"^ and on his return from the visit in my car- 
riage, he told me he was pleased and secure as he thought 
from any insult. I remember his stay here, his visiting in 
my family, and when his brothers arrived they dined with 
me, and were always social and intimate. The youngest of 

205. Ship "'America," Captain Ewing, owned by Conyngham & Nesbitt, command- 
ed probably by James Ewing. The only account book of Conyngham & Nesbitt ex- 
tant is a Journal, beautifully kept, from June, 1790, to March, 1797. It shows the 
"America" in commission 1795 ; names James Ewing, but unfortunately does not reach 
late enough to cover Louis Philippe's arrival. 

206. Fauchet, Jean Antoine Joseph, (v. Appleton's Cyc. Am. Biog., II. 421.) 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 69 

them, Beaujolais,^"^ has told me anecdotes of Madame Gen- 
Hs,^°^ under whose care they were educated as boys, but 
memory will not serve to repeat them. 

Count Montjolie™ came out passenger in another voyage, 
and can nowhere find that he paid his passage (30 guineas), 
returned to us unpaid by Captain Ewing. Talon^^" went 
passenger in the "America" to Hamburg ; remembers seeing 
him on board that ship, and the Captain and crew were 
much pleased with him. Remembers Tallyrand^" when 
here. Dined with him at John Mifflin's.^^^ Mr. Madison,"^ 
Mr. Giles^^^ and some other members of Congress in com- 
pany, which, I well recollect, passed off rather sombre. 
Having made an acquaintance with him there, I was applied 

207. Beaujolais (Louis Charles D'Orleans, comte De). Larousse says, under Louis 
Philippe, 10, 718 : "II se fixa a Philadelphie, ou ses freres, les dues de Montpensier at de 
Beaujolais vinrent le rejoindre." {v. Larousse under Montpensier and Beaujolais; 
also Watson's Annals, II. 132-135.) 

208. Genlis (Stephanie-Felicite-Ducrest-de Saint Aubin conitess De) "femme de 
letters, institutrice du roi Louis Philippe." {v. Larousse, 8, 1162-1163.) 

209. Marquis de Montjoye, or Montjoie, not Montjolie. In a letter from General 
James Wilkinson to Captain Guion, at Natchez, Miss., dated Pittsburg, Pa., January 
2, 1798, and published in Claiborne's "Mississippi as a Province, Territory and State," 
1880, I. 194, I find this reference to this gentleman : 

"I send this letter by the Marquis de Mountjoye, an exiled noble of France of high 
rank. He has been a professional soldier and has greatly interested me with the de- 
tails of his military life. He attended the Duke of Orleans and his brother, who are 
bound, I understand, to New Orleans to seek a passage to the Havana, from whence 
they expect to go under convoy to Spain to join their mother, who has escaped to that 
Kingdom." 

210. Talon, Antoine Omer, born Paris January 20, 1760; died in France. He was 
one of the founders of Asylum, Bradford county, Pennsylvania. Very interesting ac- 
counts of him will be found in Proceedings of the Wyoming Hist.-Geolog. Society, 
Vols. V. 75-110, and VIII. 47-86; also in " The Story of Some French Refugees and 
their 'Azilum,' 1793-1800," by Mrs. L. W. Murray, Athens, Pa., 1903, pp. 14-50. 

211. Tallyrand (Prince De Benevent), statesman and diplomat, {v. Larousse, 14, 
1419-1422.) He arrived in America February, 1794, with La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, 
and returned to France September 4, 1785, 

212. John Mifflin, {v. Note 57, probably John F. Mifflin.) 

213. James Madison, (v. Appleton's Cyc. Am. Biog., IV. 165.) 

214. William Branch Giles, seventh Governor of Virginia, {v. National Cyc. Am. 
Biog., V. 447-) 



JO CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

to shortly after by a Mr. Vail,^^'^ a Frenchman from His- 
paniola, who was going to Hamburg in a brig consigned to 
Ross and Simpson, the "Two Friends" or "Two Brothers," 
but the Bill of Lading in our book will show it. His re- 
quest was how to send securely his own and Talleyrand's 
papers to Europe in safety, and we recommended him to let 
us ship for him five hogsheads of tobacco suitable for the 
Hamburg market, and being shipped by us to order, on our 
endorsement or order they would be his on arrival. This 
being agreed to, we had the tobacco put in our cellar, and 
then he, Talleyrand, Vail and some others had their papers 
put in tin cases and we had them put into the middle of one 
the hogsheads of tobacco, a square place in the middle of 
them being cut out by our coopers, and they arrived safely 
at Hamburg, so that Mr. Talleyrand, as well as Louis Phil- 
ippe, owes me for favours which he said in talking of an 
estate in Champaigne, he would send me for the claret he 
drank while staying with me. 

Still continuing my reminiscences, that the Privateer 
"Hero" ^^^ was built in a very short time, commanded by 

215. Aaron Vail, United States Consul at L'Orient, France, 1790-1813. He was as- 
sociated with John F"itch in the latter's steamboat enterprise. In an agreement be- 
tween the two dated March 16, 1791, he called himself "Aaron Vail of the Kingdom of 
France, but at present in the City of Philadelphia, in the United States of America, 
Merchant." (Life of John Fitch, 320; Watson, HI. 445.) Fitch in his will, June 25, 
179S, makes "Eliza Vale, Daughter of Aaron Vale, Consul of the United States at 
L'Orient," one of his legatees. 

Vail died at L'Orient, France, 1813. His widow made application to the i8th Con- 
gress for money expended by him in the discharge of his Consular duties, with ad- 
verse result. This claim was pressed by his heirs to six successive Congresses, with 
final favorable report April 13, 1842, passed and approved May 10, 1842. The Report 
of the House, 26th Congress, states that "The claimants' ancestor was consul of United 
States at L'Orient, France, until he died there in 1813. While in office he drew upon 
officers of United States for money from time to time to defray charges of destitute sea- 
men, and he now stands charged with $6,305.69 balance of such moneys unaccounted 
for by him." 

Justice prevailed, however, and in 1842 his claim was recognized and settled. Aaron 
Vail, Jr., doubtless his son, was iti 1842 Chief Clerk of the War Department of the 
United States. Aaron Vail was also Secretary of Legation, Great Britain, 1831 and 1836, 
and Charge- d' Affaires 1832. (v. Lanman's Dictionary of Congress ; Poore's Catalogue, 
and U. S. Public Documents, 655, 744.) 

216. Privatekr "Hero." Letter of Marque, commissioned August, 1762. (i/. Pa. 
Arch., 2d S., ii. 630.) 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 7 1 

Captain Appower,-^'' owned by Willing and Morris,^^^ made 
a short cruize in 1762- 1763; had some success, but the 
peace took place, and she was sent to Amsterdam for pas- 
sengers, and brought some in here ; also Captain McPher- 
son^^^ in the "Britannia," ^^'^ who was very successful, and 
heard of several of his prizes, falling in with a number of 
Bermudean "Flags of truce," as they were called, he brought 
them in and made them pay for a trade they carried on with 
Hispaniola. This was the French War ended in 1763. 

Remembers two vessels built by David Franks,"^^ a mer- 
chant of this city, of logs, planks, etc. One of them broke 
up at sea, but one, I think, arrived safely in England ; but I 
think heavy loss attended the experiment. They were built 
and fitted at Kensington. 

Recollects a boat built by a Mr. Fitch^^^ that went round 
Petty's Island and back, propelled by paddles or oars forced 
by a machine on board. This was earlier than ever was 
attempted by steam in my remembrance. 

217. Captain Samuel Appower, or Appowen, commissioned August, 1762. {id. 
630.) 

218. Willing and Morris. Thomas Willing and Robert Morris. (Of Willing v. 
Simpson, sketch by Thomas Balch, Esq., 960 ; also Penna. Mag. Hist., V. 452-455, and 
Griswold's Republican Court, 17; Watson, III. 448.) 

219. Captain John Macpherson of Mount Pleasant, opposite Belmont, (v. West- 
cott, 253, 302-303, &c.) 

220. Ship "Brittania." Letter of Marque commissioned October 30, 1762 {v. Pa. 
Arch., 2d S., ii. 630), twenty guns. Westcott says, p. 253 : "She met with no success" 
in 1757, but in 175S, "after a long and fruitless cruise, came up with a well-manned 
French frigate of thirty-six guns, and a desperate battle ensued, in which the 'Brit- 
tania' was worsted, losing all her ofificers and seventy of her crew, her cannon, masts 
and ammunition, and left to drift a helpless and shattered hulk to Jamaica." 

221. David Franks, (v. Sabine's Loyalists, I.' 444; Keith, 136.) 

222. John Fitch, the inventor of the steamboat, (v. "Life of John Fitch," by West- 
cott, 1857.) This incident was the first trial by Fitch of his invention on the Delaware 
River, May, 1787, and is the first statement of the extent of the trial. The "Life of 
Fitch" states, p. 192 : "The boat was tried near the place where it it was built. * ♦ 
It went but slowly, however." No intimation is given as to "where it went." Con- 
yngham states that it "went round Petty's Island," that is it started at Kensington, 
where it was built, steamed around Petty's Island, opposite Kensington, and near the 
New Jersey shore, and returned to its starting place. Fitch's second trial with his 
boat was made July 26, 1788, when it steamed as far as Burlington, N. J., and dropped 
backed with the tide to Kensington, {id. p. 250.) 



72 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

Dr. Kearsley^^^ was carted by the mob in September, 
1775, and saw him afterwards severely hurt and forced to 
keep his bed. Jabez Fisher^^^ and the Doctor were both 
helped out of their difficulties and terrible situation by me 
and the friends I made to get them relieved. The former 
thanked me afterwards when I met him in London ; the 
latter, persevering in his Tory principles, suffered, and being 
sent back to Carlisle, died and was buried there. Saw a 
Mrs. Taggart throw a pillow out of the window of the house 
northwest corner of Strawberry Alley to throw upon a prior 
Tory in a cart, covered over with tar, but cannot recollect 
what was his committance nor fate. After his parade up 
Market street, terrible times and violence. 

This being written on the 2 2d of February, 1832, the Cen- 
tennial Anniversary Birthday of General George Washing- 
ton,^^^ a day usually celebrated by me when in health, must 
refer to the papers and persons employed to report the pro- 
ceedings in general, and can only say the little I did see was 
well and regularly conducted, and having made one in the 
general federal procession, think there was improvement in 
the general appearance, dress and behaviour of the trades or 
professions that came in my view, but which being partial, 
cannot venture to go further. The conduct of such as were 
before me was correct, and free of dispute, and shall con- 
tinue my remarks when the day is over. 

Society has so greatly changed and the mixture of the 
people so great, that a difference must be observed from 
that day when we were as one American family, having 
mostly been educated and brought up together. I had served 
in the field or other stations, whereas the present offers a 
mixture of strangers who cannot feel as we did, as a band 

223. Dr. John Kkarslev.Jr. {v. Note 6, p. 195.) 

224. Jabez Maud Fisher, (v. Sabine'sLoyalistsof the American Revolution, 1. 424.) 

225. Centennial of Washington's birth, (v. Westcott, 633-634.) 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 73 

of brothers joined, we could and did health and safety find. 
God grant, I beseech Him, a continuance. 

In my walk this day, 23d February, I am confirmed in my 
general observations made yesterday, in every way that of 
temperance, with a few exceptions, and those carried to 
strangers, especially foreigners, both male and female, and 
some quarrels that were placed to local jarrings and ended 
without any serious consequence. I have heard the illumi- 
nation spoken of various ways ; that at the Bank of the 
United States praised by some and thought of differently by 
others, who thought the hotels opposite had a better effect. 
The State House was spoken of by a friend as an affair 
without anything to please. Not being able to go out and 
not seeing it, I must leave it to others to decide. The streets 
were quiet early, but a friend informing me that a balloon 
was seen on fire by him in the air, shows that in future such 
juvenile efforts should be stopped by authority of the Mayor, 
etc. The Federal Procession was on Friday, 4th July, 1787 
or 8, all which I saw and part of which I was.^^^ 

Observations continued and lead to confirm my general 
opinion of the great change in the inhabitants of our great 
and growing city as far back as 1826, when I lived at No. 
109 South Fourth street. On the 4th of July of that and 
every year since, it being a holiday, or a day of parties in all 
directions, I think the number of intoxicated persons I had 
seen or known in the time of our Revolution was but five 
or six, and since then on the last 4th of July in Spruce 
street I think I saw but two or three, and yet the streets 
were apparently full. 

March 20th, 1832. Have to refer for several freshes in 
our great rivers, but the accounts daily received from every 
part of the Western rivers exceed almost credibility ; from 
the great rise in the waters and the loss of property which 
cannot yet be more than partially ascertained, nothing can 

226. (V. Note 30.) 



74 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES, 

exceed the damage, loss and derangements to some public 
works. To general record must refer for more particulars. 
It is worthy of observation that the Delaware has done less 
apparent damage than the Western rivers, at least in com- 
parison. Accounts daily coming in bring sad marks of the 
damage done in all the waters. Particulars would be too 
tedious, but as the papers state from Albany and the Mo- 
hawk river, reference to them can give the best statement. 

March 21, 1832. A fire last night was attended with a 
very distressing accident to several persons. Lives were 
lost, but great credit is due to our Fire Association--'' for 
saving the neighbouring houses and property on Chestnut 
street and Exchange alley. 

Having made some remarks on the effects of the freshets 
and stops to canals, shall now remark that our Assembly 
has stopped the supply of funds to carry on the canals al- 
ready granted ; but can it surprise any one when a person 
in my situation and standing in society declares he knows 
but one of our representatives in the Assembly, Judge Joseph 
Hemphill, and the two Senators. Surely this proves the al- 
teration in the inhabitants before alluded to, and foretells the 
change and Democratic measures prevailing will ruin the 
country and overset the highest prospects for which we Fed- 
eralists fought and argued. I must leave my objections to the 
shameful bilP"*^ passed by the Assembly, granting "license 
to sell liquors" to the oyster cellars, as habits become sec- 
ond nature, and seeing the persons who use them, am con- 
vinced that they will ruin thousands. 

Recollects when in Lisbon a grand obsequies for to pray 
for Louis 15th of France, then just dead. The ceremony 
was grand and imposing ; the King, Queen and Royal Fam- 
ily were present ; her diamonds in and on her dress were 

227. Fire Association, {v. Westcott, 636.) 

228. License to sell liquor, {v. Laws of Penna., Session of 1831-1832. No. 51. 
"A supplement to an act entitled 'An act to regulate inns and taverns,' passed April 7, 
1830," making it lawful for Courts in Philadelphia to license oyster cellar keepers, p. 7.) 



CONYNGHAM REMIMISCENCES. 75 

supposed to be valued at i^ 10,000 by a person who was 
acquainted with their value. 

Could my mind and memory recur to the many proofs of 
hospitality, kindness and friendship received on a tour 
through Ireland from Sligo to Derry, thence to Belfast and 
Dublin, enjoying the beauties of Wicklow Mountains, the 
Dargle, etc., and thence to Waterford and Cork, and after 
some days to Killarney by the route of Baltimore, and en- 
joying the view of the lake, with the echoes of Paddy Blake : 
"How are you, Paddy Blake?" "Very well, I thank you," 
says Paddy Blake. A laughable story. Enjoyed dancing 
and dinner on Innisfallen of fresh salmon, just caught, and 
having nine with us, can reckon it a treat seldom met with 
by travellers, says David Hayfield Conyngham, Oliver 
Birch, a merchant of Antigua, and Thomas Ewing, merchant 
of Baltimore, Maryland, where we parted, indeed, for life. 
Memory cannot serve me for anecdotes, fun, etc., but one I 
will put down. Dining at Alderman Hogg's in London- 
derry, Mrs. Hogg says : " Mr. Hogg, help Miss Bacon (an 
agreeable young lady at the table) to a piece of pig." 

When I went into Luzerne county the roads were so bad, 
or not opened, that on going to Nescopeck Valley I had to 
give a man half a dollar to show me by Indian path the cor- 
ner tree of one of the surveys in right of J. M. Nesbitt, Isaac 
Coxe^^^ and Boyle & Glen,^^" and where now stands the town 
of Conyngham^^^ the titles to the latter's share came to me 

229. (v. Note 49, p. 210.) 

230. Boyle & Glen. This was a firm organized in 1771-1772 by John Boyle, an orig- 
inal member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, and Robert Glen. Boyle died 1783 
and Glen 1792-1793. (v. Friendly Sons, Boyle, p. 100; Glen, p. 113.) 

231. Conyngham, Sugar Loaf Township, Luzerne County, a town of 14J0 inhabi- 
tants, was named in memory of Captain Gustavus Conyngham. {v. Note 10, page 197.) 
It is located on land granted by patent, July 4, 1787, to John Maxwell Nesbitt <v. Note 4, 
p. 188), and willed by him, January 25, 1S02, to David Hayfield Conyngham, his part- 
ner. It was surveyed 1806 and passed through the possession of Benjamin Rush to 
Redmond Conyngham, eldest son of David H. Conyngham, who was in his day one of 
the most prominent men in the township. He had the village site surveyed and named 
it Conyngham. It 1832 it contained about 50 houses. 



76 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

by the house ot Boyle & Glen, being in debt to us to the 
value and more. 

Remember the time when I was pushed for quarters at 
Lehigh Town,^^^ and had for several years to send forward 
a man to prevent "stops" in the Narrows that led to Mauch 
Chunk,^^ now a flourishing place of resort and curiosity, and 
to the settlement of which I contributed by advice to Josiah 
White.'^" 

Perhaps my children, as well as strangers, may say, "Why 
were you not appointed or placed in some situation merited 
by you ?" In answer I must state that my very respected 
partner, head of the house of Conyngham & Nesbitt, after 
my father's leaving this country in 1776, John Maxwell 
Nesbitt,"^^ whom I shall always uphold and support with re- 
spect and grateful feelings, having early taken a decided 
part in American affairs, leading to our independence, was 
one of the first officers appointed with Mr. Nixon'^^ and Mr. 
Fuller,^^'' as "Committee of Claims and Naval Affairs," Pay- 
master to the latter, Alderman of the City, one of the first 
Directors of the U. S. Bank, at first establishment under 
firm of "Bank of North America," first President and Di- 
rector of the "North American Insurance Company," and 
to which in course of mercantile business the house of Con- 
yngham, Nesbitt & Co. have paid 100,000 dollars per an- 
num in its extensive business, premising these to show that 
the writer could not have been brought forward without in- 

233. Lehighton, Carbon County. In 1832 it had 13 house, a store and two tavenis. 
Fort Allen was erected near this place, 1756. 

233. Mauch Chunk, Carbon County. Even those best acquainted with this pictur- 
esque locality will be interested in reading in Gordon's Gazeteer of Pennsylvania, 1832, 
pp. 274-287, an account of the openitig of the coal trade at Mauch Chunk as it was at 
the time of Mr. Conyngham's visit. The village then had 1316 inhabitants. 

234. Josiah White, who, with Erskine Hazard, developed the Lehigh Coal and 
Navigation Company at Mauch Chunk. 

235. J. M. Nesbitt. {v. Note 4, p. 188.) 

236. Colonel John Nixon, {v. Note 28.) 

237. Benjamin Fullbr. {v. Friendly Sons, 112.) 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 7/ 

terfering with the claims of Mr. Nesbitt ; but can state that 
Governor Mifflin offered him the place of "Aid de Camp" to 
General Walter Stewart, and that Col. Francis Gurney"^ 
proposed to him to take Mr. Nesbitt's place as Alderman, 
who, from gout and sickness, would have resigned. Gen- 
eral Hand,^^^ on the Western Expedition, also offered him 
the place of "Aid de Camp," and he only served as a Ser- 
geant in the Troop. 

Being a Director in the North American Insurance Com- 
pany when a dividend, much cavilled at since, was made, 
justifies his vote therefor, for what he saw and knew, and 
which if it could now be examined into, would stamp with 
approbation instead of the reverse given by unknown per- 
sons. His aversion to place or popularity has continued to 
the present time at his advanced age of 82 years in declar- 
ing against all pretended patriots to whom, in comparison 
with those of the present day (4th January, 1832) and those 
of 1776 and some following years, he can say that places, 
power and speculation, to which add peculation, form a 
present patriot, with but few real patriots in his opinion, 
knowledge or observation. 

"Memorial,^'' etc., of David H. Conyngham. To the 
Hble, etc., showeth that the said David H. Conyngham was 
a native of America, born in the year 1750, educated partly 

238. Colonel Francis Gurney. (v. Pa. Arch., 2d S., X. 744; Simpson, 458-462; 
Ritter's "Philadelphia and her Merchants," 188-190.) 

239. General Edward Hand. (v. Friendly Sons, 113-115; Heitman, 208.) 

240. Memorial of David H. Conyngham. The above is probably a copy of the pe- 
tition from him, as surviving partner of Conyngham, Nesbitt & Co., presented to the 
First session of the Thirty-third Congress, 1833. The petition was laid on the table. 
{v. U. S. Pub. Doc. No. 774, p. 173.) The heirs of Mr. Conyngham and others pre- 
sented the same or similar petitions to the Twenty-sixth and the Thirty-first Congress 
for "Indemnity for French Spoliations prior to iSoo." Both petitions were referred to 
the Committee of the Whole House. (Pub. Docs. 371, and 584 and 653, Vol. I., p. 385.) 
These claims are still pending in Congress, 1904. Some have been adjudicated, but 
Congress has not appropriated the funds. The incidents recounted in this Memorial 
will be found in the previous pages. 



yS CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

in this country and partly in Dublin, Ireland, where he went 
with his father and family ; returned in 1 768 and served four 
years apprentice to J. M. Nesbitt as a merchant; went to 
Europe and visited France, England, Portugal, etc., and re- 
turned in 1774 to America, having added in his humble ca- 
pacity to the character of America. Finding the events 
approaching of the separation as Colonists, he early decided 
on the part of America, and joined the Volunteers in the 
Company of Captain John Cadwalader, afterwards General, 
served as a soldier; and the house having large shipments 
of flaxseed and several vessels going to Europe, it was 
agreed and thought advisable that he should go to Ireland 
in the brig "Charming Polly," of which Gustavus Conyng- 
ham was Master, Sept. loth, 1775. Under his orders and 
control arrived in Londonderry safely, and sold the flaxseed, 
and received and sold several other cargoes in different 
ports, still keeping his views as an American. Underwent 
many trying situations, such as the observations of Lord 
North, and arranging as well as he could under the appa- 
rent unsettled state of affairs. Went from London and over 
to Calais, and at Dunkirk joined Gustavus Conyngham and 
William Hodge,^*^ the former having returned from the cap- 
ture of the "Harwich" Packet, and agreeing with them and 
Jonathan Nesbitt, supercargo of brig "Charming Sally," was 
captured in Newport by the British Consul. 

"Proceeded to Paris and obtained from Silas Deane and Dr. 
Franklin the Commission for Gustavus Conyngham to com- 
mand and fit out the cutter "Revenge," which sailed under his 
agreement, and proved one of the most distressing cruziers 
under the American Flag, and to which I contributed and 
paid about ;^2500 for outfit. Went from Bordeaux after 
furnishing funds and settling for a large assortment of Rus- 
sian goods to be sent to him to the Island of Martinique. 

241. Captain William Hodge, Jr. {v. Sketch of Captain Hodge on page 259, Ap- 
pendix A.) 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 79 

"Went out there and fixed and transacted business in a va- 
riety of shipments, of great rehef and benefit to the war 
office, such as Jesuit's bark, admitted as such ; when the army- 
was sick at Valley Forge four cases of my supply was 
found to be useful ; also on the army under General Wash- 
ington moving on towards Yorktown the Russian duck 
sheeting, etc., sold by us to John Mitchell,^*^ Commissary 
General, and paid for in Continental paper, the real amount 
under the scale of depreciation not amounting to the first cost. 

"In the Expedition to Penobscot'^^ of July, 1779, our 
house, under the firm of J. M. Nesbitt & Co., changed by 
reason of my father being in Ireland and still interested by 
me, was very active. 

"The said house, besides the personal services of J. M. 
Nesbitt and myself, having always vessels at sea as Priva- 
teers, the "Nesbitt""" brig of 14 guns, and " Letters of 
Marque" from 4 to 30 guns, by which heavy losses fell on 
them, and when peace came round they continued under 
the renewed firm of Conyngham, Nesbitt & Co. to push the 
business with credit and success until the unfortunate occur- 
rences of 1793 began. Taken through losses by capture, by 
the illegal or piratical French Spoliations,^® they were much 
injured. But they sustained their standing as merchants, 
not only when uncommon losses by sea, added to the 

242. John Mitchell, {v. Friendly Sons, 122.) 

243. The Penobscot Expedition, 1779. For an account of this ill-fated Expedition 
with Bibliography of the same, conf Winsor's "Narrative and Critical History of 
America," VI. 582, 603-604. 

244. Schooner "Nesbitt," a privateer owned by Congyngham & Nesbitt, armed 
with 14 guns, and 30 men, commanded by Captain N. Martin and Commissioned by 
Pennsylvania in 1781. (Pa. Arch., 2d S., I. 372.) 

245. French Spoliations. The claims of citizens of the United States against France 
arising out of great losses caused by France in despoiling American commerce by war 
vessels and privateers from 1794 to 1798. The United States tried to obtain redress 
from France 1798-1800, but failed, when the citizens of the United States presented their 
claims to the U. S. Congress for payment. The list of losses covers over 1002 vessels, 
owned in whole or in part by 2270 persons, whose heirs are still pressing their claims, 
amounting to near $10,000,000. The claims of D. H. Conyngham are still unpaid, 
although many have been adjudicated, {v. U. S. Pub. Docs., Vol. 2168.) 



So CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

French and Spanish Spoliations, rendered it necessary for 
them to retire from business ; and but also under many af- 
flicting, cruel, unfriendly and wicked acts to the prejudice of 
their surviving partnership which have brought us down to 
the present day, when hopes are entertained that justice and 
honour will at least restore the subscriber to comfort and 
means of support in his advanced age and for a numerous 
family of children and grandchildren. 

"Let it be also remembered that on application from Gen- 
eral Washington for immediate supplies, without which he 
could not keep his army together at Trenton, a large and 
immediate subscription was raised by Mr. Robert Morris, 
and a long list of subscribers for hundreds of thousands, 
from which list the names of J. M. Nesbitt & Co. are 
always omitted for the reason that a supply of salt, beef and 
pork from the cellar of the former house^^^ and from the lat- 
ter house of Bunner, Murray & Co.^^^ by a supply of Irish 
beef and pork from a prize they had brought in, supplied 
the Army and saved them from destruction, and your Me- 
morialist is even denied the merit attached to their pretended 
part in the demand. 

"Such are some of the services under which the Memori- 
alist has laboured with loss of a valuable landed estate in 
Pennsylvania for want of means to meet payment in judg- 
ments obtained in the State Court, and through the means 
of careless agents." 

246. "J. M. Nesbitt & Co. subscribed .^5,000 for the supply of the Army of the 
United States with provisions. So great was the distress of the American army in 1780 
that General Washington was apprehensive that they would not be able to keep the 
field. The army was saved, however, by a combinationof providential circumstances. 
Washington having written to Richard Peters, Esq., giving him full information of the 
state of the army, that gentleman immediately called in J. M. Nesbitt and explained to 
him the distress of the army and the wishes of the General. Mr. Nesbitt replied 'that 
a Mr. Howe of Trenton had offered to put up pork for him if he could be paid in hard 
money. He contracted with Howe to put up all the pork and beef he could possibly 
obtain, for which he would be paid in gold.' Mr. Howe performed his engagement, 
and J. M. Nesbitt & Co. paid him accordingly. Mr. Nesbitt told Mr. Peters that he 
might have this beef and pork ; and in addition a valuable prize, just arrived to Bun- 
ner, Murray & Co., laden with provisions. The provisions were sent in time and the 
army was saved." {v. Simpson, 742.) 

247. Bunner, Murray & Co., dry goods merchants of Philadelphia, who in 1780 
subscribed /"eiooo to supply the American Army with provisions, (v. Friendly Sons, 
1 25-) 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 8 1 



Note 241 — Appendix A. 

Captain William Hodge, Jr., was the second son of Andrew Hodge, Sr. 
(v. Note 8), a prominent and an upright merchant of Philadelphia, 1 746-1 790, 
whose place of business was at No. 85 North Water street, and who came to 
America from Ireland about 1 731. 

Captain Hodge, so called because he commanded a privateer 1779, was born 
Philadelphia January 20, 1750, and died September I, 1780. He probably 
served his apprenticeship in his father's counting room, as was the custom. At 
26 years of age he became somewhat prominent as a factor in our Naval his- 
tory. The little that is known of him, however, has led to many misrepre- 
sentations of his character and career which this sketch will correct. He is 
sometimes called "Andrew Hodge," probably from his brother being known 
as "Captain Andrew Hodge" of the Pennsylvania Line. Barnes, in his "Sketch 
of Captain Gustavus Conyngham," describes him as "a strong-featured, red- 
faced man of a traditional John Bull appearance," while this American of pure 
Irish blood and birth, Captain Hodge, was called by all those who knew him 
in Europe, "the handsome American." 

He was a trusted Secret Agent of the United States when only 26 years old, 
and was eminently faithful to his trust. He was an active and a zealous pa- 
triot of such integrity and good judgment for his years that early in 1776 he 
was sent by his father to procure in Europe supplies for the home market. 

The Secret Committee of Congress, then sitting in Philadelphia, and com- 
posed of Hon. John Jay, Thomas G. Johnson, Esq., Robert Morris, Esq., Gen. 
Richard Henry Lee, William Hooper, Esq., and Rev. John Witherspoon, D. 
D., to all of whom he was personally known, learning of his proposed voyage, 
appointed him, May 30, 1776, their Secret Agent, and twice entrusted him 
with an important mission in France. Historians have generally robbed him 
of this honor, giving it to one who was not entitled to it. Three letters to 
Captain Hodge from the Secret Committee — No. i dated May 30, 1776, Nos. 
2 and 3 dated October 3, 1776 — will be found in Force's Archives, and are 
reproduced here in Appendix B at end of Reminiscences. 

In No. I, dated May 30, 1776, the Secret Committee empowered him to 
go to France and purchase large consignments of munitions of war, also to 
buy two Cutters, well armed, manned, and commanded by men of intelli- 
gence and true to America, to operate on the Atlantic coast from New York to 
Virginia. Detailed instractions were given in this letter for his guidance with- 
out any reference to Silas Deane, then in Paris, investing Hodge with absolute 
authority to purchase, and specifying two and one-half per cent, of his invoice 
as his commission. (Force, 4th S., VI. 618.) 

By what vessel Hodge sailed does not appear, but she was captured, June, 
1776, by the British man of war "Orpheus" and he taken prisoner, having pre- 



82 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

viously destroyed all his credentials and despatches. He soon regained his 
liberty and returned to Philadelphia. 

Congress on October 3, 1776, "Resolved that the Secret Committee be em- 
powered to take such measures as they shall judge necessary for purchasing, 
arming and equipping a Frigate and two Cutters in Europe, and to give proper 
orders to the said Frigate making a cruise in the British Channel against our 
enemies; and that the said Cutters be employed in transportiug to these States 
such articles as the said Committee has been ordered to import. (Force, 5 S., 
ii. 1387.) 

The Secret Committee promptly acted on this Resolution. In October 
Hodge was again sent to France with similar powers, and additional instruc- 
tions, but with directions to act in conjunction with Deane, then the United 
States Commercial Agent at Paris. On October 3d, 1776, the Secret Com- 
mittee wrote him two letters. No. i and No. 2, of instruction and authority. In 
No. I, referring to his capture in June, and advising him that in consequence 
they had taken other measures to procure the munitions of war, they enlarged 
their plan for purchasing two Cutters for the American Coast, and in obedi- 
ence to the Resolution of Congress directed him thus : 

" We propose that you should consult with Mr. Deane and Mr. [Thomas] 
Morris on the subject, and if you will find it to be in your power to procure 
seamen, and obtain permission to arm and fit out vessels in France, Spain or 
Holland, that you should, if possible, buy a Frigate of 20 to 40 guns, have her 
completely fitted, armed and manned, putting in a gentleman of unexception- 
able good character, being also an able seaman, to command her, for which 
purpose we give you herewith a blank Comniission to be filled up with his and 
the Ship^s 7iaine, which may be the Surprise. The Captain and you may ap- 
point the officers necessary for the ship, giving to each a certificate showing 
his station. 

" When this ship is completed, you must give orders to the Captain, signed by 
Mr. Deane, to cruise in the Channel against the enemies of the United States of 
America, making prizes of all British property as he can meet with. He may 
send his prizes into such port in France as may be most convenient, and you 
will there demand protection for them, * * * and also liberty to make 
sale of such goods as Mr. Deane, Mr. Morris and you yourself may think best 
to sell there." 

He was also to sell all prizes in France, use the proceeds to pay the contracts 
made in this business, to buy, fit, arm and dispatch the two Cutters. "We de- 
liver you Commissions for these vessels also." * * * "The Ship must 
make but a short cruise in the Channel, and a short one will do the business. 
* * We shall desire Mr. Deane and Mr. Morris to join you in the necessary- 
assurance to those you deal with of being faithfully reimbursed." * * " It 
is absolutely necessary that you assume the utmost secrecy in all this business. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 83 

and make use of every cloak or cover you can think of to hide the real design." 
(Force, 5th S., ii. 852.) 

It thus appears that this admirable plan of aggressive action against Great 
Britain which was worked out so successfully by Gustavus Conyngham in the 
"Surprise" and the "Revenge," was conceived, arranged and laid out in such 
minute details by the Secret Committee alone, even to the name of the "Sur- 
prise,'''' not even a suggestion of such venture being any where found in the 
letters of Silas Deane. 

The Select Committee also wrote to Deane, October 2, 1776: "We have 
committed important dispatches to the care of Mr. William Hodge, Jr., who 
we hope will in due time have the pleasure to deliver them in person. He 
knows nothing of their contents other than that they are important, and in case 
of capture his orders are to sink them in the sea. This young gentleman's 
character, family, and alertness in the public service all entitle him to your 
notice. He is also charged with some business for the Secret Committee 
wherein your countenance and assistance may be useful. You will no doubt 
extend it to him, also engage Mr. Morris' exertions therein." (Dip. Corr. Rev., 
Wharton, 2, 162-3.) 

With these words of confidence the Committee did not subordinate Hodge 
to Deane, but asked his favorable aid. Hodge left Philadelphia in the sloop 
"Independence" for Martinique, thence he sailed in a French vessel for France, 
where he met Deane in Paris, presented his credentials, and consulted with 
him about his course. Then he set about to execute his orders. 

His "Account" published in the "Papers in Relation to the case of Silas 
Deane" (Seventy-Six Society, p. 103), show that he proceeded to Dover and 
through a Captain Cruize bought a Lugger, which, in obedience to the orders 
of the Committee, he named the "Surprise." He paid for it, with "provisions 
and outfits," 25,122 livres. Doubtless aided by D. H. Conyngham, he secured 
the services of Gustavus Conyngham, to whom he gave the command of the 
vessel, and to whom he delivered his first Commission supplied him for the 
purpose by the Secret Committee. This was the Commission lost by Conyng- 
ham, dated March i, 1777, and lately purchased in Paris. 

"The 'Surprise' departed on its cruize with the result so well known, the 
capture of the Harwjck packet, and other prizes, which were taken into Dun- 
kirk, the release of the prizes by France, and Conyngham's imprisonment. 
From this 'durance vile' he was soon released through Deane and Franklin. 
He was then again employed by Hodge, who, taking with him Mr. Car- 
michael, as representing the American Commissioners, purchased, as per orders 
of the Secret Committee, through a Captain Cook, at Dunkirk, April, 1777, the 
Cutter 'Greyhound' ; went to Amsterdam and through Cook secured seamen, 
the expense of the Cutter manned being 37,500 livres. Of this amount D. H. 
Conyngham supplied, for his house of Conyngham & Nesbitt, ^10,000, and 
Captain Hodge, for his father, Andrew Hodge, Sr., probably fully as much. As 



84 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

Captain Conyngham states in his Diary (Pa. Mag., XXII. 4S0), this required (i) 
"the Agents and a house to advance the money; (2) the person to buy the ves- 
sel ; (3) a person with a Priest to execute the purchase ; (4) a bond not to com- 
mence hostilities on the British." Captain Hodge and D. H. Conyngham gave 
the bond ; Carmichael supplied the Commission which D. H. Conyngham and 
Hodge had secured from Franklin. Deane stated in his "Narrative" that 
"Conyngham sailed with the resolution of following his orders, but had not 
been long at sea before his people mutinied and obliged him to make prizes." 
Captain Conyngham records in his Diary, with no reason for misstatement, 
that Carmichael gave him "a Letter not to attack, but if attacked, at Liberty 
retaliate in every manner in our power — Bum — Sink and destroy the Enemy. 
5th i6th July, 1777, the 'Revenge' left Dunkirk, next day attacked, fired on, 
chased by several Frigates, sloops of War and Cutters. A vessell in disguise 
in dunkirk peers to give Signals on our going out & Was executed & answered in 
the offing by their ships of War." The "Greyhound" was named the "Revenge." 

At once, without inquiring into the circumstances attending the hostilities 
commenced, the French Government sought the sureties. D. H. Conyngham 
was spirited away by Franklin under the pass of Count de Vergennes, but 
Hodge was cast into the Bastile, from which, six weeks later, he was released 
through the influence of Franklin. 

Dr. E. E. Hale, in his "Franklin in France," 1S87, I. 135, makes the state- 
ment that "Early in March, 1777, a merchant from Philadelphia, William Hodge 
by name, came to France and entered into relations with the Commissioners, and 
Silas Deane especially. It was always one of Deane's favorite projects to fit 
out privateers in the ports of France which should annoy the British shipping." 
He adds that "it was not so probable that Franklin, Deane and Lee conceived 
the idea of fitting out the 'Surprise' in Dunkirk which should capture the 
Harwick packet. How much Franklin had to do with it is doubtful. Deane 
is the only one of the three who appears in the documents, and it was evidently 
he who saw to carrying out the details." 

Even Dr. Hale had failed to discover the letters from the Secret Committee 
to Hodge. However, Carmichael testified, October 5, 1778, in his Examination 
before Congress, "that he did not know whether the Commissioners had re- 
ceived orders relative to the fitting out of these two vessels," so well did Hodge 
conceal his orders. (Deane, I49.) But Dr. Hale goes further: 

In a note (I. 139) referring to Conyngham' s cruises in the "Surprise" and 
the "Revenge," he says : " It was hinted later that his cruises were conceived 
by Deane and Hodge as private ventures to be paid out of the public funds, 
where profits were to accrue wholly or in part to private purses. There are not 
enough data to prove or disprove them, there is, however, the suspicion of 
them." 

Dr. Hale doubtless based his statements on a letter from Franklin to Gusta- 
Tus Conyngham, 1778, in his "Franklin in France," I. 348, which Franklin 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 85 

could not have written had he knowledge of Hodge's private instructions of 
October 3, 1776. Franklin tells Conyngham that "Hodge and Ross had no 
right to direct him," which, as to Hodge, is in the face of Hodge's secret orders; 
also that "Deane had no right to dispose of his prizes," which is also in the 
face of Hodge's orders. Deane, Morris and Hodge were to dispose of all 
prizes. Morris at the time of action had been eliminated from the matter by 
removal. Deane doubtless sold the prizes with the sanction of Hodge. But 
the letters of October 3, 1776, remove all cause for Franklin's decision in the 
matter. As to the private interests in the "Surprise" and the "Revenge," this 
was sanctioned by the Committee, and was in the hands of patriots who were 
the peers of Franklin or any man in Congress. Hodge undoubtedly invested his 
father's money in the "Revenge," and D. H. Conyngham frankly states that 
he put ;g 1 0,000 in her, so that she belonged jointly to the Government, to Con- 
yngham & Nesbitt, and to Andrew Hodge. This private interest doubtless was 
one of the "cloaks or covers to hide the real designs" which his orders bid him 
use. When the "Revenge" was brought to Philadelphia, April, 1779, it was "To 
Mr. Andrew Hodge, one of the owners of the 'Revenge' Cutter," that Presi- 
dent Reed wrote for the privilege of using the vessel, and his letter shows that 
he had read "the Draught of the Charter Party of the 'Revenge' Cutter." (Pa. 
Arch., VH. 319.) The Secret Committee and Congress both apparently rec- 
ognized these facts as correct, hence Congress ordered the vessel sold at public 
sale, and she was bought in by Conyngham & Nesbitt, a firm as full of devo- 
tion to the American cause as any firm in Philadelphia, and whose name, like 
that of Andrew Hodge, placed every action above suspicion. 

In December, 1778, or early in 1779, Captain Hodge returned in his own 
sloop "Eclipse" to America, and reaching Beaufort, North Carolina, the first 
port at which his vessel touched, he landed there, where he found an old school- 
mate and friend, Chaptain Charles Biddle. Referring to his experience in 
France, Biddle says : " He told me he was fencing with a master who was 
teaching him, when two well-dressed men came into the room, inquired if his 
name was not Hodge, and when he informed that it was, they told him he was 
their prisoner, and desiring him to step into the carriage, they also came in and 
carried him immediately to the Bastile. He was confined there in a room by 
himself for six weeks, and probably would have died there but for the favora- 
ble turn in our affairs. During his imprisonment he never spoke a word to any 
person whatever. Mr. Carmichael, who lived with Dr. Franklin, frequently 
wrote to him, but he never received but one of his notes, and that he found in 
the plaits of one of his shirts. It fell out as he was putting the shirt on. He 
was very much rejoiced at getting it, as it informed him that he would soon be 
released. Mr. Hodge left the sloop in my charge and went to Philadelphia to 
consult with his friends what he should do with her. He soon returned and 
fitted her out to cruize. He wanted me to command her, but I disapproved 



86 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

of being concerned in a privateer, and he made one Simpson, son of Captain 
Simpson of Philadelphia, her commander." 

Captain Biddle adds much more relative to the " Eclipse," which had sent 
in a prize to Newbern, N. C, of which he took charge and acted as agent for 
Hodge in the trial between Hodge and some Charleston merchants who claimed 
it. In July, 1779, Hodge loaded the "Eclipse" with tobacco for the West In- 
dies, and Captain Biddle accepted the command. His escape from a heavy 
privateer and bis later experience he tells in his "Autobiography," pp. 117- 
127. He sailed for St. Thomas August 10, 1779, on which day Hodge re- 
turned to Philadelphia. When both had returned to Newberne in the Fall, 
Hodge sent the "Eclipse" as a flag of trace to New Providence, Bahama 
Islands, loaded with British prisoners. Biddle is silent as to his later move- 
movements. Doubtless he returned to Philadelphia that winter, and died 
there 1780, in his 30th year. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 8/ 

WHISKEY INSURRECTION. 

The "Whiskey Insurrection" of 1794 in the Western part of Pennsylvania 
was an uprising of the people against the unjust U. S. Excise laws on the dis- 
tillation of whiskey. 

That very fertile section was a vast granary ; the only market for the grain 
was in the East ; the cost of transportation was enormous ; the freight on a 
barrel of flour equalled the price it brought in Philadelphia, and wheat was 
ground up for cattle feed. The only remedy for the poverty thus caused was 
distillation of the grain into whiskey easily sold in the West. The tax on 
whiskey was a burden two heavy to be borne — hence the Insurrection, {v. Pa. 
Arch., 2d S., Vol. IV. ; "Papers relating to what is known as the Whiskey In- 
surrection in Western Penna. 1794;" also Breckenridge's History of the Whis- 
key Insurrection, &c., 1795 and 1859.) 

The late Townsend Ward, Esq., of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, pre- 
pared for me the following admirable note of the "Whiskey Insurrection" for 
these Reminiscences : 

"In the official report of the troubles made to the President by the Secretary 
of the Treasury, August 10, 1794, the involved presentation of facts not in their 
regular order led subsequent writers, such as Chief Justice Marshall, Wharton 
in his State Trials, and Hildreth, to accept the statement without examination. 
This seems now to be conceded, and so I may now be pardoned a brief state- 
ment wherein it may be shown that Pennsylvania is innocent of the insurrection 
charged against her. 

"By an Act of Congress of March 3d, 1791, a tax was laid on distilled spirits. 
The bill as originally introduced provided that suits for violations of its provis- 
ions might be brought before justices of the peace or State Courts. This was 
stricken out, and consequently prosecutions were before the Federal Courts. 
Now practically the nearest one was at Philadelphia, and to bring a defendant 
here was simply to ruin him, for costs and fees to counsel were to be paid in 
money, an article almost unknown in the western counties. A journey of many 
weeks and a neglected business involved the sale or mortgage of what property 
the defendant might possess. In the early days of our government a tax in the 
shape of excise was deemed improper. The first Congress, in its address to 
the inhabitants of Canada, in October, 1774, told that people, 'you are sub- 
jected * * * to the Impositions of Excise, the horror of all free States ; 
thus wresting your property from you by the most odious of Taxes, and laying 
open to insolent Tax-gatherers, Houses, the scenes of domestic Peace and 
Comfort, and called the Castles of English subjects in the Books of their Law.' 
The Legislature of Pennsylvania, in 1 79 1, instructed its Federal Senators to 
oppose the passage of that 'excise established on principles subversive of peace, 
liberty, and the rights of the citizens.' For a century or more before that time 
the subject had been agitating our ancestors in England, where it was aptly said 
that an 'Excise hath an army in its belly.' 



88 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

" The reminiscences of Mr. Conyngham are interesting and as to the appa- 
rently arbitrary seizure of a large number of citizens entirely novel ; for with 
a diligent search I never before have met with a statement by an actor in the 
scene of November 13, 1794, which the people of Western Pennsylvania for 
many years afterwards called ' The dreadful night.' In some degree it recalls 
the ' Night of Sorrow,' the poor Mexicans experienced from their Spanish 
masters. It is idle to say that everything was legally done by the authorities 
who wielded the power of the law. This is a baseless claim, for it is a melan- 
choly fact that the greatest atrocities history has known have been perpetrated 
under color of the law. Never was a witch or a heretic burnt at the stake 
but under the law ; whole communities, terrorized, have applauded acts their 
hearts, in secret, condemned, and have experienced a sense of relief when the 
odor of roasted flesh no longer incensed an offended Heaven. 

•'To avoid what might prove a tedious narrative, I may state that in 1858 I 
wrote a paper on the Insurrection, which is printed on pages 117 to 182 of the 
6th volume of the Memoirs of the Society, bearing the title of 'Contributions to 
American History.' In it I said : ' It would appear that at length Congress 
took into consideration the 'hardship in being summoned to answer for pen- 
alties in the courts of the United States at a distance from the vicinage;' 'one of 
the principal complaints' of the Western people, as by an Act of June 5th, 1794, 
was that there was given to the State Courts a concurrent cognizance of all in- 
fringements of the excise law. This Act also made further alterations in the 
system. There has, however, been gathered around the action of the govern- 
ernment, not in pursuance of, and in accordance with, this law, but in proceed- 
ings initiated prior to its enactment, and executed subsequent to its approval, 
an amount of obscurity and error rarely to be met with in our annals.' My 
effort was to prove that the statement of the matter by the Secretary of the 
Treasury in his report to the President, that by Chief Justice Marshall in his 
Life of Washington, by Mr. Francis Wharton in his State Trials, and by Hil- 
drcth in his History of the United States, was incorrect. The long and labored 
statement of the flrst, extending through four paragraphs, was reduced by Mar- 
shall to two paragraphs, by Wharton to half a paragraph, and finally by Hil- 
dreth to this single sentence : ' Very shortly after the adjournment of Congress 
steps were taken under the neiu Act on that subject, for the collection of Ex- 
cise duty in the Western counties of Pennsylvania.' It is conceded to be now 
clearly proved that, very shortly before the adjournment of Congress, steps were 
taken under the old Act to enforce the collection. 

"At the time of the appearance of the article on the Western Insurrection, 
the Hon. James Veech, then of Uniontown, Fayette county, but later of Ems- 
worth, Allegheny county, was printing a most interesting and valuable volume 
entitled 'Monongahela of Old.' When two hundred and forty pages, a copy of 
which is in the library of the Historical Society, were printed, he stopped the 
work and, to the surprise of his friends, never resumed it. Chapter VIII. is 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 09 

not concluded. Chapter XI. was to be on the Insurrection, according to a 
note (page 175) on Albert Gallatin. The printed remarks as to some incidents 
of the troubles, show that the unprinted part of the book as the Judge had pre- 
pared it, had ceased to be considered by him as correct, for just at that time he 
was led to examine the subject, with the light I had thrown on it.* 

" In 1876 a most creditable volume appeared in Pittsburgh under the title of 
a ' Centennary Memorial of the planting and growth of Presbyterianism in 
Western Pennsylvania and parts adjacent.' The 7th part of this volume is 
'The Secular History in its connection with the Early Presbyterian Church 
History of South Western Pennsylvania, by James Veech, LL. D.' On page 
360, in speaking of the Western Insurrection, Judge Veech says : 'A credu- 
lous reading of current histories, and of more or less ephemeral publications 
based upon them, had led me to believe that, in this most extraordinary social 
convulsion, the people were wholly wrong and the government wholly right.' 
In a note on the same page he adds : 'Important disclosures from records, and 
many right deductions from them, have been made by Townsend Ward.' After 
narrating the events of the troubled time he says, on page 384 : ' There are 
important facts which nearly all the historians of this convulsion have over- 
looked. Those who have noticed them have either blunted their application 
by a confusion of dates, or were misled to say that the Act could not apply to 
offences before its passage, which every lawyer knows is a mistake. The credit 
of their orderly disclosure is due to Mr. Ward of the Pennsylvania Historical 
Society, in his paper hereinbefore noted. He brought them out by collating 
the Court Records with the Journals of Congress. If not an intentional, it 
was certainly, in its results, a most disastrous evasion of a very salutary enact- 
ment, as we will presently see.' 

"About the time of the appearance of Judge Veech's 'Secular History' I had 
but little use of my eyes, a misfortune that continued for several years. It was 
not till 1878 that I read his work, on which I wrote to him, and on the 20th of 
June of that year I received a reply. In this he says: 'I was gratified to know 
that you think well of my sketch of the 'Whiskey Insurrection,' in which I 
was very much aided by the published results of your researches. Indeed, 
your collation of the facts concerning the bringing of the suits and the passage 
of the act of June 5, 1794, served most materially to clear up many of the ob- 
scurities and much of the confusion which were apparent in all the previous 
accounts of the emeute which I had seen. You shed a new and clear light on 
the entire subject, and more than anyone else enabled me, as I think, to remove 
the odium which had so long rested on the people of the ' four Western Coun- 
ties' by reason of their resistance to the Excise Laws.' 

"It is to be regretted, and by none more than by myself, that Judge Veech did 
not live to recast the remainder of his volume on 'the Monongahela of Old.' " 

*"It is imperfect and incomplete and has some errors, on account of which I sup- 
pressed its publication." Judge Veech to Mr. Hayden, 1878. 



90 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

I shall now endeavour to state the Western or Whiskey 
Expedition, being called out by General Washington to 
quell an Insurrection in the Western part of Pennsylvania, 
and which was raised under instigation of a man'-^^ whom I 
could never believe just, honest or true, or whom, if I had 
come up with him and he had attempted to run, I would 
have shot. 

We marched, I think, the 13th of September, 1794; 
camped over the Swedes ford*^^ on Schuylkill — a heavy 
gust or thunder storm ; marched to Elliott's tavern,^' next 
to Downingtown,"'^^ thence to Ferree's"^^ tavern, and thence 
to Lancaster,^^ all pleasant and well ; after to Chickey's 

248. David Bradford. It is fair to presume that David Bradford, Esq., is meant here. 
Bradford was born in Maryland. When he emigrated to Washington county, Pa., is 
not known. He was admitted to the Bar in Washington, Pa., April, 17S2, and became 
very successful and prominent in his profession. He built the first stone house in the 
town, a two-story dwelling, on Main street, a few doors north of the property of Adam 
C. Morrow, corner Main and Maiden streets. Creigh says he had been a member of 
the Legislature of Virginia, when parts of Washington and Fayette were considered as 
belonging to Virginia. He was a man of great popularity throughout the county. In 
17S3 he was appointed Deputy Attorney General. He was one of the three representa- 
tives from Washington county meeting at Pittsburgh September 7, 1791, to take into 
consideration an Act of Congress laying duties upon spirits, etc. In October, 1792, he 
was elected to the House of Representatives under the Constitution of 1790. In 1792-3 
he was one of the Commissioners appointed to lay out and sell the lots at Fort Mcin- 
tosh, now Beaver, Pa He entered with zeal into the Insurrection of 1794, and was one 
of the Committee to call the people to meet at Braddock's Field, August 1, 1794, where, 
by his eloquent and enthusiastic speeches, he procured himself to be electeil unani- 
mously to command the Insurgent forces, as Major General. So active was he in this 
fiasco that he was excepted from amnesty by Washington's proclamation. Refused 
pardon, he fled to Louisiana, then under Spanish domination, and there at Bayou Sara 
he died. 

249. Swedes Ford, at what is now Bridgeport, Montgomery county, so named as 
early as 1723. (Col. Rec. Pa., III. 225; Bean's Hist. Montgomery Co., 709-711.) 

250. Elliot's Tavern, unknown. 

251. " Downing's Town," Chester county, on East branch of Brandywine River, 
thirty-three miles from Philadelphia, then a village of about forty families, now "Down- 
ingtown." 

252. Ferree's Tavern, unknown. Evans mentions it in his History of Lancaster 
Co., but does not locate it. 

253. Lancaster, laid out 1728. Seat of Government of Pennsylvania 1807-1813, with 
a population of 5,000. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 9 1 

Creek ;^''* thence to Carlisle,^" where we remained several 
days, and were reviewed by General Washington and other 
military officers being put off duty there. He (General 
Washington), on his ride of observation, called at our tent 
and told me not to be alarmed at an attack I had from Lime- 
stone water, of which both I and J. B. McKean^'® suffered 
much ; but we marched with the troops, and on wheeling 
from Carlisle to the Rock Road, he (General Washington)^'^ 
came from his station for viewing us and said : " Mr. Con- 
yngham, I thank you for your turning out," which, as an 
example, has procured me any army of friends. Marching 
to Berlin^^ and on to where the Youghiogheni'^^ crosses the 
mountain to McGhee's^ Ferry. The weather had become 
wet and stormy, but as yet no appearance of an enemy. 



254. Chickky's Creek. Chiques Creek, originally Chickisalunga or Chichiswalun- 
go, the place of the crawfish. There are two creeks of the name, Great and Little 
Chiques, both flowing southwest from the Conewago hill through Lancaster county to 
the Susquehanna, uniting two miles above that river. 

255. Carlisle. Founded 1751. In 1753 a town of five log houses. Eglesays:"In 
October, 1794, General Washington rendezvoused some days herewith 12,000 men." 
{v. Egle's Hist. Pa., 620. v. Pa. Arch., 2d S.. IV. 428, for account of Washington's re- 
view of his army at Carlisle.) 

256. Joseph Borden McKean, son of Chief Justice Thomas McKean. {v. Friendly 
Sons, 480; Westcott, 1539.) 

257. Washington. Conyngham mentions (as quoted from a manuscript not among 
these) as an incident of this campaign, "General Washington, Commander in Chief 
and President of the United States, riding along side of me, expressed warmly his re- 
spects for the First Troop; that he could scarcely convey how much he had always 
felt himself indebted to the Troop, for their services during the Revolutionary War, 
and also their services on the present expedition ; that such gentlemen turning out was 
the means of inducing the other troops to march more cheerfully." (Hist. First Troop, 
P- 34-) 

258. Berlin, or the Brothers' Valley settlement, settled 1769 by a few German fami- 
lies, in Somerset county, at head spring of Stony Creek, known as Pious Spring, {v. 
Pa. Arch., 2d S., IV. 433) 

259. VouGHiOGHENY, pronounced Yok-he-o-ga-ny, accent on "Yok" and "ga," usually 
called "the Yok," name corrupted from "luh-wiah-hanne," a stream flowing in a con- 
trary direction, or a circuitous route ; flows into the Monongahela River. 

260. McKee's Ferry, now McKeesport, at the mouth of the "Yok River," twelve 
miles above Pittsburgh, on the Monongahela River, laid out 1794 by John McKee, 



92 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

Mr. Clymer^*' of our Troop, whom, on a wet night before, 
I had begged to go to his tent, which he refused, here was 
taken ill and died soon after, having had every attention 
paid him. From that encampment was named to command 
a Sergeant's Guard of 12 men to accompany General John 

Gibson^®^ and Roberts,^^ who had the money to pay 

the Troops, to be delivered at Pittsburgh.^^* 

Proceeded on and had to nearly swim our horses at Big 
Sewickly,^^ when by my horse I kept Roberts from being 
carried down the stream, and reached Quarters wet and 
hungry, and remembers a good breakfast. Proceeded with 
our party, accompanied by General Gibson and John 
Woods.^"" to Judge Wallace,^" at Braddock's Field; had 

261. Meredith Clvmhr, son of George Clymei, the Signer of the Declaration of 
Independence, and his wife, Elizabeth Meredith ; Member Philadelphia City Troop 
September 12, 1794; Honorary Member November 18, 1794; died November 18, 1794. 
(v. Pa. Mag. Hist., IX. 354-) 

262. General John Gibson, an early settler, and a prominent merchant in Western 
Pennsylvania, a brother of Colonel George Gibson, killed at St. Clair's defeat, and who 
was the father of Chief Justice John B. Gibson by his wife, Ann West, daughter of Fran- 
cis and niece of William West, p. 195, Note 7. {v. Pa. Arch., 2d S., IV. 68. See also 
Harvey's History of Lodge No. 61, F. and A. M., Wilkes-Barre, Pa., 1897, pp. 272-312.) 

263. Roberts, unknown. This may be Acting or Deputy Paymaster John Brown, of 
whom Clement Biddle wrote to Governor Mifflin, September 29, 1794: "I send this by 
two Gentlemen of the City Troop, who remained to escort Mr. Brown, D. P. M. Gen'l, 
but he has not yet arrived here but is expected to-night, and has a sufficient escort with 
him." (Pa. Arch., 2d S., IV. 383.) I find no reference to Mr. Roberts. 

264. PiTTSBtJRGH. This great city of 322,000 souls in 1900, laid out 1760, 1765 and 1784, 
had 1,395 inhabitants in 1796. 

265. Big Sewicklv Crekk, Westmoreland county, empties into the Voughiogheny 
River near West Newton, a few miles beyond its junction with Little Sewickly Creek. 
There is also a Big Sewickly Creek and a Little Sewickly Creek, Allegheny county, 
emptying into the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers. 

266. John Woods, an eminent lawyer of Pittsburgh. Admitted to the Allegheny 
county bar December 16, 1788. He became one of the leaders of the bar in Pittsburgh, 
and is so referred to by Judge White in "The Judiciary of Allegheny County." (r. Pa. 
Hist. Mag., VII. 155. 179) 

267. JudgkGeorgh Wallace, son-in-law of Col. John Gibson, and theowner of Brad- 
dock's Field. (Colonel Gibson died in the house on the field.) He was one of the Com- 
mittee of three appointed at the Pittsburgh meeting, July 31, 1794, "to take into consid- 
eration the present situation of affairs and declare their sentiment on this delicate 
crisis." (Pa. Arch., 2d S., IV. 78-80.) This Committee of three were George Wallace, 
H. H. Brackenridge and John Wilkins, Jr. Judge Wallace was not a lawyer, but had 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 93 

a good dinner,^^ and picked out balls from the trees at Brad- 
dock's Field, and went into Pittsburgh. Being under the 
orders of General Gibson, on entering the town he told me 
to draw up our men in a street we entered, and he would 
see where we were best to quarter, and this proved opposite 
the house of Judge Brackenridge ;^^ and a guilty conscience 
needs no accuser, for he and his wife and family were com- 
pletely frightened, supposing we came to make him pris- 
oner, from which he was soon relieved, by General Gibson 
showing us where we could quarter, and to see Roberts de- 
posit the money at Major Denny's.^" 

We passed a day in quiet at Pittsburgh before the Army 
came up, and from thence forded the river at the Junction^''^ 
in our march to Healey's Mills^^ in Washington Co., from 
thence, before daylight, in several detachments, our Troop 

been a Justice of the Peace since 1784 ; was a man of good education and in comforta- 
ble circumstances. He was commissioned one of the four Judges of Allegheny county 
October 9, 1788, when the county was organized. On the reorganization of the Courts 
under the Constitution of 1790, when Alexander Addison was appointed President 
Judge of the Fifth District August 17, 1791, George Wallace was commissioned one of 
the four Associates. He served on the bench from 1788 to 1814. Judge White, speak- 
ing of the four Lay Judges of Allegheny county from 1788 to 1838, including Judge Wal- 
lace, says "these were all men of mark and distinction." {v. Pa. Mag. Hist., VII. 155, 
171.) 

268. Braddock's Field, now Braddock P. O., Allegheny county, a town of nearly 
20,000 souls, covering the beautiful and historic locality, a faithful picture of which is 
published in Sargent's "History of Braddock's Expedition," Historial Society of Penn- 
sylvania, 1856. 

269. Hugh Henry Brackenridge. (v. Pa. Arch., 2d S., IV. 140; Day's Histori- 
cal Collections of Penna. 87-89, &c.) 

270. Major Ebenhzer Denny. This is an error. Captain Denny, did not re- 
ceive his appointment of Major until December 24, 1794, when he was at Franklin, (v. 
Military Journal of Ebenezer Denny, Memoirs Historical Society Penna., Vol. VII., 
409.) He was absent from Pittsburgh during the entire outbreak, as his Journal shows, 
pp. 401-409. Some years after this he built a house, still standing, on the northwest 
corner of Market and Third streets, out of brick taken from Fort Pitt. (id. 232.) It is 
probable that the money was left at Denny's house with his uncle, John McClure. 
Conyngham when in Pittsburg, 1807, probably knew Denny as an officer of the Branch 
Bank of Pennsylvania, (v. Egle's Penna. Genealogies, 581, for Denny Genealogy.) 

271. Junction of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers with the Ohio at Pittsburgh. 
372. Healey's Mills— cannot find this place. 



94 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

was marched off. Under Lieutenant Hall"^' we went down 
to Muddy Run^^* and had a person as guide, but getting 
near the phice we wanted, he could not make out the road, 
but said he was sure we were in hearing distance of the house 
we were looking for, upon which, recollecting what Dr. 
Cochran^'^^ of the American Army had told me he had often 
benefited by, I imitated the cock's crowing, and in a minute 
was answered by not only the one we were looking for, but 
by others near at hand, and our guide said he knew where 
we were, and at a gallop we went down a meadow lane and 
surrounded Colonel Crawford,-^" and Madelian''''^ and his son, 
Saucy Jack, prisoners, and witnessed a curious scene, for 
they had a husking party, and as they turned out almost 
naked, men and women, exhibited a strange appearance ; 
the men wanting to resist, but our pistols kept them from 
their rifles, and they submitted and marched. As some 

273. Lieut. William Hall. {v. Note 56.) Born January 20, 1752 ; died December 
10, 1834 ; buried in Christ Churcli-yard, Pliiladelphia ; married Jane Trenchard. 

Member Philadelpliia City Troop November 17, 1774 ; appointed Second Sergeant ; 
promoted to Cornet 1794; Second Lieutenant October 10, 1794; First Lieutenant 1796- 
1803 ; resigned June 30, 1S03 ; made Honorary Member July 29, 1803 ; was elected mem- 
ber Schuylkill Fishing Co. July 23, 1782; was member Pennsylvania Assembly 1798-1800. 
He served in all the campaigns of the Troop from 1776 to 1794. 

274. Muddy Run. This was Muddy Creek, rising in Cumberland township, Wash- 
ington county, placed in Greene county 1796, emptying into the Monongahela River at 
Davidson's Ferry near Carmichael. It was on Muddy Creek that so many Indian 
murders were committed. 

275. Dr. John Cochran of Pennsylvania, Physician and Surgeon General, Middle 
Department, April 11, 1777 ; Chief Physician and Surgeon of the Army October 6, 1780; 
Director General of Military Hospitals January 17, 1781 to the close of the War; died 
April 6, 1807. (v. Sketch, Friendly Sons, 104-105.) 

276. William CRAVk^FORD of Cumberland township, j?//ra. Was styled "Colonel" 
by Brackenridge, Findley and Porter in their accounts of the Insurrection. The only 
Colonel William Crawford ever known in this section was Colonel William Crawford 
of Sandusky fame, killed by the Indians 1782. He lived at Stewart's Crossings, now 
New Haven, Fayette county. In 1782 William Crawford of Cumberland township was 
taxed for one slave named Cook, aged 30. Of the warrantees of land in Washington 
county 1784-1892, among eleven Crawfords there was only one William ; he received 
162 acres November 7, 1790. Findley says they took "William Crawford and son." 
William Crawford of Washington county was an aged man, who, in 1822, was tried, 
convicted and executed for the murder of his own son. (Creigh's Hist. Washington 
County, Pa., 368.) 

277. Madklian and Saucy Jack, unknown. 



CONYNGHAM REMIMISCENCES. 95 

more of our Troop joined us, we went on to Parson Corb- 
ley's,^^ whom we made prisoner. His daughters had been 
scalped by the Indians but a year or two before [1782]. 
Showed us the place and church they were just going to. 
Went on to Sheriff Hamilton's,^^ and with our prisoners 
rendezvoued at Cannonsburg,^^** where we had to mount 
guard, and with difficulty had anything to eat, from oppo- 
sition to us ; from thence to Pittsburg, and put our prison- 
ers in the gaol or to officers appointed to receive them. We 
were then told to seek quarters, and although we had been 
several nights on duty when we reached the distil lery^^ ap- 
pointed as quarters for our detachment we found neither our- 
selves nor horses to stand dry, and galloped off to the town, 
where Mr. McClure,^**^ I think, received us for old acquaint- 
ance sake, and where I was several days, being received by 
the families of John Woods,^^^ Mrs. TannehilP* and others; 
and being appointed to the command of a Sergeant's Guard 
to escort General Hamilton^^' across the mountains, we left 

278. Rev. John Corbley, born Ireland February 25, 1733 ; came to Berkeley county, 
Virginia ; was licensed to preach as a Baptist minister and aided the founding of many 
Baptist churches in Washington, Fayette and Greene counties, Pennsylvania, 1770-1780. 
He was an active patriot in the American Revolution, lived on Muddy Creek. In 1782 
the Indians attacked his house, killed and scalped his infant child, shot and scalped 
his wife, tomahawked his six years old son, killed and scalped one daughter, and 
scalped the other two daughters who survived and grew to maturity, {v. Creigh's 
History Washington Co., Pa., 2d Ed., Appendix 59.) 

279. Sheriff John Hamilton commanded "the Bloody Battalion," so called be- 
cause many of his men were in the Moravian Massacre in the Williamson Expedition 
of 1782. He was Sheriff October 22, 1793— November 2, 1796; Associate Judge May 31, 
1802. {v. Sketch in Crumrine's Washington Co., Pa., 694 ; also Brackenridge's "West- 
ern Insurrection," 1859, p. 297-289.) 

280. Cannonsburg, Washington county, Pa., a village 1794; made a borough 1802. 
Seat of Jefferson College. 

281. DisTii,LERV erected by Craig & Bayard at the Point in Pittsburgh. 

282. John McClure, uncle of Major Ebenezer Denny, (v. Denny's Journal, 296.) 
Major Denny's grandmother was Margaret McClure, and John McClure was doubtless 
her brother, (v. Egle's Penna. Genealogies, 579.) 

283. V. Note 265. 

284. Mrs. Tannehill. There were two of the name in Pittsburgh, Lieutenant Jo- 
siah Tannehill, an officer of the Virginia Line, and Captain Adamson Tannehill of 
the Maryland Line. Josiah kept the "Green Tree" on Water St. 

285. General Alexander Hamilton, then Secretary of the United States Treas- 
ury, {v. Lodge's "Hamilton," American Statesmen Series.) 



96 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

Pittsburgh and travelled by McConnellsburgh^^' to York, 
and thence by Lancaster to Philadelphia, meeting nothing 
but cold and wet weather ; received the General's thanks, 
and thus ended the Military Campaign. Had to leave my 
tent companion very sick at Washington, but he met good 
friends, and Robert Smith^^^ recovered, and is now alive and 
in good health for his age. 

Our Troop was commanded by John Dunlap,^^ Captain, 
made Major while out; William Hall,^*^ First Lieutenant, 
lately deceased, 1832; David Lenox,^^" Second Lieutenant, 
deceased ; John Lardner,^^ Third Lieutenant, in place of 
Thomas Leiper,^^^ who was disabled at Downington by a fall 
from his horse; Samuel Howell, Jr.,^^^ First Sergeant and 

286. McCoNNELLSBURG, Porter township, Huntingdon county, Pa. 

287. Robert Smith, born Ireland; Captain Copperthwait's Battalion Pennsylvania 
Militia September ii, 1777; Bradford's Battalion 1779; Member Philadelphia City 
Troop May, 1781 ; Honorary Member July 28, 1803; died 1S38. (Pa. Arch., 2d S.,XIII. 
622; XIV. 14.) Member Hibernian Society 1790; Merchant at 26 South Front street 
1791. Ritter says : "At No. 58 Front street he pursued a popular and profitable trade 
in dry goods for many years, was well, widely and popularly known even in 1795, and 
more than 25 years after." p. 173. Westcott remembers Robert Smith as a member 
Mechanics' Committee appointed to confer with the Merchants' Committee in protest 
against the Boston Port Bill June, 1774. 

288. John Dunlap. (v. Note 63.) Findley says : "Captain Dunlap of Philadelphia 
and his company were sent to Muddy Creek in the upper end of Washington county ; 
they took Colonel Crawford and son, Mr. Sedgwick, a justice of the peace, Mr. Corbly, 
a clergyman of the Baptist persuasion, and others. They were taken early in the 
morning, and had no opportunity of making resistance. Captain Dunlap and his 
party, while they behaved with the greatest de.xterity in taking the prisoners, treating 
them with as much politeness and attention as their situation would admit of, and 
engaging their gratitude by accompaying unavoidable severity with humanity. Cap- 
tain Dunlap had a discrimination made in his orders between witnesses and supposed 
criminals, but treated them all with humanity, and had them comfortably lodged, and 
provided them with victuals and drink previous to his taking refreshments himself." 

289. William Hall. {v. Note 56.) 

290. David Lenox, {v. Note 54.) 

291. John Lardner. (v. Note 68.) 

292. Thomas Leiper. (v. Simpson, p. 48.) 

293. Samuel Howell, Jr., merchant. Member Philadelphia City Troop, Novem- 
ber 17, 1774; First Corporal, First Sergeant and Orderly, and Treasurer, 1794; Mem- 
ber Committee of Safety October 20, 1775-July 22, 1776; appointed by President 
Washington Commissioner U. S. Bank March 19, 1791 ; Honorary Member City Troop 
June 19, 1798 ; died November 6, 1806. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 97 

Orderly; D. H. Conyngham,^^^ Second Sergeant ; Robert 
Smith/^' Third Sergeant ; J. B. McKean/^^ Fourth Sergeant ; 
Jonathan Williams,^^'' Corporal, deceased ; Robert Hiltz- 
heimer,^^^ Corporal, deceased, 1832; John Mease,^^ Corporal, 
deceased ; John Donaldson,^"" Quarter Master, died January, 
1832; Jonathan Robeson,^*" Quarter Master, deceased; Dr. 
James L. Ewing,^"^ Physician and Surgeon, deceased. 

No doubt many anecdotes of our proceedings and round 
our camp fires at night might be told, but my age and want 
of memory prevent my detailing them. We never slept on 
a bed until we persuaded General Hamilton to take one at 
Yorktown, and the rest of us never got to one until we 
reached Lancaster, where the escort was dismissed, and we 
came home in separate parties. 

The pay and rations that were due me and others on this 
and former campaigns were settled by John Donaldson and 
others, and now form the Orphans' supply in the Pennsyl- 
vania HospitaP*'^ for women in necessity, or Lying in Hos- 
pital. There are but few of us now remaining. 

294. (v. Note 59.) 

295. Robert Smith, (z/. Note 287.) 

296. Joseph B. McKean. {v. Note 256.) 

297. Jonathan Williams. Member Philadelphia City Troop, September 12, 1794; 
Honorary Member, June 19, 1798; Judge Court of Common Pleas, 1776; General and 
Chief of Engineers, U.S. A.; First Superintendent West Point Military Academy; 
died May 18, 1815. {v. Sketch, Nat. Cyc. Am. Biog. III. 239-240.) 

298. Robert Hiltzheimer. Member City Troop, May 4, 1786; Second Corporal, 
1796. 

299. Johh Mease, {v. Friendly Sons, 122.) 

300. John Donaldson, {v. Note 138.) 

301. Jonathan Robeson. Member Philadelphia City Troop, 1792 ; Honorary Mem- 
ber June 19, 1798; Lieutenant, Volunteer Light Dragoons, Provisional Army, U. S. A., 
July 17, 1798 ; died September 5, 1799. 

302. Dr. James L. Ewing. Member Philadelphia City Troop September 10, 1794; 
Surgeon of Troop, 1794-1803 ; Honorary Member July 29, 1803. 

303. Pennsylvania Hospital. The members of the City Troop serving from 1776 
to 1783, resolved March 8, 1792, to give the pay due them for their Revolutionary ser- 
vices to establish a Foundling Hospital. The amount, which was about |8,ooo, was 
invested, and in 1807 was transferred to the Pennsylvania Hospital to be known as 
"The Fund bestowed by the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry to the Lying-in and 
Foundling Hospital." This Fund had been exhausted by 1831, as stated in the His- 
tory of the Pennsylvania Hospital, 237. But, according to the History of the First 
Troop, it was lost by the failure of the Bank of Pennsylvania, 1857. (v. History First 
Troop, pp. 34, 41 ; History Pennsylvania Hospital, pp. 236, 237.) 



98 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 



KENTUCKY JOURNEY. 

Continuing my reminiscences I have nearly to make my 
journey to Kentucky, with the same reference to a book, or 
in a bag containing claims, titles, etc., not only as a "Special" 
Assignee, but as a "General" Assignee of Francis and John 
West,^"* and to which I must refer in a bag of papers and to 

304. Francis and John West, sons of William West and his wife Mary, daughter 
of William Hodge, {v. Notes 7, 8.) 

IVilltam irest, the father, born Sligo, Ireland, died Philadelphia October 28, 1782. 
His will, June, 1782-January, 17S3, names his wife Mary West, daughter of William 
Hodge, .his father-in-law William Hodge, and his own children, who were: Mary, 
wife of D. H. Conyngham, Francis and John, stipra, William, who died 1793, James, 
Ann, Benjamin Fuller, and Helen, born 1777. His will also names his nephew William 
Alricks; witnesses John M. Nesbitt, Thomas Barclay and Matthew Mease. His ex- 
ecutors were William Hodge, his father-in-law, his nephew, William West, Jr., and 
D. H. Conyngham. When his daughter Mary married Mr. Conyngham he added a 
codicil to his will naming his daughter Helen, born 1777, and giving his daughter 
Mary "a Silver Urn and Tea-boiler." He did not sign his codicil, and William Al- 
ricks deposed that it was William West's writing. Alricks says he was apprenticed 
five years and more to his uncle William West, the elder. Mary Hodge West, his 
widow, made her will and died 1785. naming her father William Hodge, step mother 
Eleanor, and her children Francis, John, William Hodge, James, Benjamin Fuller, 
Mary, Ann and Helen. 

The Pennsylvania Gazette, November 13, 1782, speaks thus of Mr. West : "On Mon- 
day the 28th ult. died at his seat at Whitemarsh, Mr. William West, after a short fit of 
illness, which he bore with the greatest firmness and equinimity, and on Wednesday 
morning his remains were interred in this city attended by many friends and respect- 
able inhabitants. He was certainly a gentleman of very unblemished reputation, 
amiable and gentle in his disposition, affable and courteous in his deportment, cheer- 
ful in his temper, though grave in his aspect, generous and polite in his manner of liv- 
ing, sincere and deservedly happy in his family connexion, and to the highest degree 
upright and exact in his dealings. He was long an eminent and principle merchant 
in this city. In his conduct the integrity of his heart and the candor of his principles 
were so distinguished and conspicuous that his loss is most universally regretted by 
the public and all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance." William West was one 
of the original members of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, 1771 ; Vice President, June, 
1773 to June 17, 1774; President, June 17, 1774, to June 17, 1776. 

Francis IVest.Jr., born Philadelphia, September 14, 1761, was made a member of the 
Friendly Sons March 17, 1783. He died June 29, 1843, aged 81, "the last surviving of its 
members." He was a member First City Troop May 4, 1786, serving in the "Whiskey 
Insurrection" expedition, 1794, and was mustered into the United States ser\'ice March, 
1796, for public defence. He was made an Honorary Member February 20, i8to ; was 
also a member of the Hibernia Fire Company, and of the Philadelphia City Council, 
1795. 1796- 

John West, his brother, became a member Friendly Sons 1786; was also elected a 
member First City Troop April 24, 1786; Honorary Member July 3, 1798. He was in 
the dry goods business with his brother Francis from 1791 until his death, unmarried, 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 99 

letters and agreement with James Cowan, Esq., from whom 
I am anxiously looking for letters, remittances and accounts. 
D. H. Conyngham left Germantown, near Philadelphia,'*" 
on the 27th day of May, 1807, went on to Lancaster, thence 
by Carlisle,'*'^ Strasburgh,3o^ Bedford.^"^ Stoystown,'»» and 

in 1799. He lived in London, England. He was also a member of the Hibernia Fire 
Company. 

Benjamin Fuller West, a younger brother, was a member of the City Troop Septem- 
ber 12, 1794. Served in the "Whiskey Insurrection" expedition as private 1794, and 
was mustered into the United States service as Corporal 1796. He died, New Orleans, 
September, 1804. 

Francis and John West were popular merchants in 1791, at No. 108 Front street, 
Philadelphia, and for many years afterwards. Conyngham & Nesbitt occupied Nos. 
94 and 96; Stewart & Barr, No. 100; Peter Blight, No. 102 ; Abijah and Rumford Dawes, 
No. 106, and Francis and John West, No. 108. Ritter says, page 184: "Francis West 
was the sire of Captain James West, who was so long and favorably known as a Com- 
mander in Cope's line of Liverpool ships, and afterwards as a popular Commander of 
the finest steamship in the Liverpool trade. Dr. Francis West, second son of Francis, 
Sr., succeeded his parents in the homestead of No. 108, and grew in his practice of 
medicine there ; but his assiduity, and fearless attention to the sufferers of the cholera 
of 1832 contributed much to his fame and deserved popularity, and his disinterested 
liberality justly links him in the chain of benevolent men." {v. Friendly Sons, 138, 139.) 
After the death of John West in 1794, the affairs of Francis and John West were placed 
in the hands of D. H. Conyngham as assignee for settlement. Hence his visit to Ken- 
tucky in 1807. 

305. The route taken by Mr. Conyngham to reach Pittsburg from Philadelphia, 1807, 
is very interesting in contrast with the direct line of travel between these points in 
1904. There were no railroads ; and the only turnpike on the line at that time was the 
"Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike," 62 miles long. Mr. Conyngham travelled in 
his own chaise, with "wooden springs," to Lancaster, thence by public road to Car- 
lisle, and thence probably by what was hardly more than an Indian path to Pittsburgh. 
He surely took the same route as was followed by Christian Frederick Post to the In- 
dians, 1758, from Carlisle to Upper Strasburg, thence to where once stood Fort Little- 
ton, thence to Raystown or Bradford, thence to Greensburg, and Pittsburgh. Post 
went from Carlisle October 29 to Shippensburg, November i to Fort Littleton, Novem- 
ber 3 to Raystown, thence to the Loyalhanna (Greensburg), and thence to Pittsburgh, 
so that the roads could have been very little improved by 1807. Mr. Conyngham took 
ten days in 1807 to cover a distance now covered in ten hours. 

A paper on "State Roads and Highways in Eastern Pennsylvania and Lebanon 
County," by Hon. Theo. B. Klein, Lebanon County Historical Society, April 17, 1903, 
gives a good account of the character of these roads. It has just issued. 

In 1807 Brownsville (Old Redstone) and Pittsburgh were at the head of Ohio and 
Western navigation, and nearly all commercial business between these places and those 
below Pittsburgh was carried on by flatboats. 

306. Carlisle, (z/. Note 255.) 

307. Strasburg. Upper Strasburg, Franklin county, at foot of the Blue Mountains. 

308. Bedford, Bedford county, 200 miles west of Philadelphia, formerly Raystown, 
incorporated 1795. Noted to this day for its mineral waters, discovered 1804. 

309. Stovstown, Somerset county ; had 40 houses 1832. 



lOO CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

Greensburg^"' to Pittsburgh^" where he arrived the 6th 
of June at ii o'clock. During the ride he overset the 
chaise in a hole near Bedford, broke one of his wooden 
springs near Littleton,^^^ and encountered very bad roads. 
It rained daily after he reached the mountains, and although 
in general it was bad travelling, yet he thinks Turtle Creek 
Hills^^^ was the most difficult part. 

At Pittsburgh met Dr. Brassieurs,^^* who was loading his 
boats, and on Wednesday, June loth, we embarked our 
horses and put off in a severe gust of rain and wind, and 
the boat being leaky, made us very wet and uncomfortable. 
However, the Ohio was very full and gave us a great run 
down to Wheeling,'^^ a promising town in Virginia, where 
several boats were building, and it appeared a thriving place. 
Left it 6 o'clock P. M. and reached Marietta^*'' at same hour 
next day. This appears a place of great consequence ; its 
situation on the Muskingum forms a fine harbour, and the 
ship yards were occupied with vessels from 80 to 400 tons, 
building being pushed there. The next day we passed Gal- 
liapoHs f^'' it is also well situated, but does not appear to 

310. Greensburg, county seat of Westmoreland county. In Somerset county 1807 ; 
laid out 1784 ; seat of justice 1782 ; had 150 houses 1832; now has 6,500 people. 
309. Pittsburgh, {v. Note 264.) 

312. Littleton, site of Fort Lyttletoti, Franklin county. Not a town. 

313. Turtle Creek Hills, twelve miles above Pittsburgh, on Turtle Creek. 

314. Dr. Brassieres, probably Dr. Brashears of Bardstown, Ky.. who performed at 
Bardstown, 1806, the first successful hip joint amputation in America, {v. Collins, Ky., 
11.89.) 

315. Wheeling, Va., now West Virginia. This "promising town," fifty-eight miles 
below Pittsburgh, with 100 houses in 1807, had then "a printing office, a book store and 
a library. The two first quit the town for want of patronage." It is now the seat of 
Justice for Ohio county, has 40,000 people, and a public library of 18,000 volumes. 

316. Marietta, O., at the mouth of the Muskingum, had in 180790 houses, and a 
Bank with |ioo,ooo capital, of which General Rufus Putnam, brother of General Israel 
Putnam, and of Revolutionary fame, was President. It is the seat of Marietta College. 

317. Galliapolis, O., settled 1790 by 100 or more French people, enticed by shrewd 
speculators, who got their money and left them with worthless titles, utterly unfitted to 
open a home in a wilderness. A few of the emigrants had money. Americans joined 
the colony, and in 1807 it had 50 families, was the seat of Justice of Gallia county, with 
a court house, jail, church, academy, &c. Howes's "Historical Collections of Ohio" 
contains a graphic account of its beginning as romantic and pathetic as Murray's 
"Story of some French Refugees and their Azilum, Pa., 1793-1800," v. v. The popu- 
lation, 1904, about 5,500. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. lOI 

progress, nor indeed does it carry on its appearance that 
state of cultivation that one would have supposed from the 
adventurers who settled it. Fruit trees appeared large and 
thriving. We still proceeded day and night, and in Ii2 
hours reached Maysville^^^ or Limestone. It is not in my 
power to describe all the new towns we passed. Point 
Pleasant,^^'' in Virginia, on the mouth of the Kanawha, ap- 
pears as handsome as any situation I saw. Passing some 
places in the night, such as Blennerhassett's Island,^^*^ I 
could not well distinguish the improvements ; was disap- 
pointed with the appearance of the Scioto,^^^ it being much 
smaller than I had imagined. The Ohio from Pittsburgh 
exhibits an unusual sameness that is not long pleasing ; it 
scarcely anywhere varies in breadth ; in some places there 
appear fine bottoms, and when in time improvement accom- 
panies population, it must become a general object for all 
travellers to descend. A circumstance worthy of remark is 
the great want of brooks or springs, as we often ran miles 
before we could obtain water to fill our kettles, the settlers 
depending on the river. Maysville appears a grand depot 

318. Maysville, Mason county Ky., settled 1784; called Limestone because at the 
mouth of Limestone Creek ; named Maysville for Colonel John May. {v. Collins' Ken- 
tucky, II. 565-536) 

319. Point Pleasant, Mason county, Va., now West Virginia, at thejunction of the 
Great Kanawha River and the Ohio River, four miles above Galliapolis. The "Battle 
of Point Pleasant" was fought here, 1774, between the Indians under Cornstalk and the 
Virginia troops under General Andrew Lewis, who, after an all day fight, routed the 
Indians. This was probably the initial battle for the Independence of the American 
Colonies. Had Cornstalk won, with Lord Dunraore on the side of England, the cause 
of the Colonies would probably have been lost. The location of Point Pleasant is one 
of unusual beauty. Henry Clay, when he passed the spot, said that it reminded him of 
a "beautiful queen clothed in rags." In 1807 one William Langtry was the only mer- 
chant at the Point. Its population in 1904 was 2,000. It is the county seat of Mason Co. 

320. Blennerhasset's Island, so named for Harmon Blennerhasset, an Irish gentle- 
men who built here an elegant home, but becoming involved in Burr's conspiracy, he 
left the place and the handsome buildings were destroyed. The Island is two miles 
below Parkersburg, West Virginia, and the Little Kanawha River. 

321. Scioto River, O., a beautiful river, 300 miles long, flowing into the Ohio, sub- 
ject to like conditions as the Ohio of annual overflow. Columbus, Chillicothe and other 
cities are located on its course, (v. Navigator, 1811, 196.) 



I02 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

or place of landing for the convenience of transporting 
goods to Paris, Lexington, etc. 

I proceeded on a tolerable road through Washington to 
May's Lick.'^'^ The spring did not appear strong, but from 
the gathering of cattle around it, no doubt it is still salt. 
From thence, over a rough and bad road, to the first Blue 
Lick.^^ The springs on both sides of Licking are large 
and strong ; twenty kettles were working in one house, and 
numbers in others. The taste of the water, although not 
brackish, sickened my stomach. The salt made appears fine 
and good coloured, and looks like the Lymington or coarse 
Liverpool. It sells at the spot for 13 shillings Virginia 
currency per bushel.'^* 

Passed over the second Blue Lick, over rough and bad 
roads through Millersburgh j^-'' thence the road became bet- 
ter to Paris,'-® a tolerably thriving place, and from thence to 
Lexington,'^ which is indeed a wonder of its age; I reckon 
above 400 houses and the most, large brick buildings, and 
numbers of new ones. It is situated in a rich, fertile body 
of land, the stone all limestone of a blue cast, and water 
strongly impregnated with lime. The woods are mostly 
filled with sugar maple, locust, sycamore, etc. Several rope 
yards and cotton spinning give an appearance of business, 
and the other tradesmen all seemed well employed and in- 
dustrious. In no place did I ever see so many persons ride 

322. May's Lick, Ky., twelve miles from Maysville, also named for John May, owner 
of the land and a famous "lick" or spring near by, once a noted camping ground, {v. 
Collins' Kentucky, II. 563.) 

323. Blue Lick. The Upper and Lower Blue Lick Springs, Nicholas county, Ky., 
famous for over a century ; discovered 1773 by a party of men from the Youghioghe- 
ny River, Pennsylvania, {v. Collins, II. 654-655. 

324. Virginia Currency was then almost equal to Sterling. (American Register, 
I. 145-) 

325. MiLLERSBURG, Ky. Miller's Station, twelve miles south of the Lower Blue Licks. 

326. Paris, Ky. Established 1790 as Hopewell, then called Bourbonton, then Paris. 
{v. Collins II. 66.) Population 1900, 4,500. 

327. Lexington, Ky. Ranck in his "Historj- of Lexington," says : "It had reached 
its zenith in 1810, then the centre of Western trade, with a population of 8,000; the 
sales of the largest business house there amounted, in i8io, to |ioo,ooo a month." 
Population, in 1900, 26,000. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. IO3 

to and fro, on horseback generally, but many in carriages 
and chaises, which proves the country must be thickly set- 
tled. But, as far as a passenger may judge, the farm houses 
in general are mean and miserable hovels surrounded by 
crops exceeding any I ever saw. The interference of titles 
is the cause to which the want of buildings is attributed, 
but it may be added that a ready money market is also to 
be adduced. I dined at Mr. Barr's^^ on Sunday at his farm. 
I think in no part of the world did I ever see a superior. 
He has fifty brood mares, and expects forty-eight mule colts 
this year. His young mules are the handsomest I ever 
saw. He takes them at two years old to South Caro- 
lina, where they average him one hundred dollars per head. 
His wheat and oats are both so rank and fine that the late 
rains must injure them; his corn very good, he expects 
seventy-five bushels per acre from it. 

His house large and convenient, built of bricks, with an 
extensive garden and orchard. His meadow ground is so 
loaded with timothy, clover and blue grass that he will cut 
two tons per acre. He showed me his wood pasture. In 
above two hundred acres there was not a handful of dry 
leaves ; these, I am informed, rot so fast that by January 
they all disappear so that no dirt or trash remains. Eighty 
acres of the woods, which he had kept up for twenty-eight 
days, were fit for mowing, the blue grass and clover being 
knee deep, and the rest of the wood excellent also. Water 
is not plenty, but as the lands clear they say springs and 
brooks increase. Equality seems very general here, the 
Judge and Constable, the Colonel and Corporal, and except 
some few Lawyers and Merchants, the Yeomen, clad in 
homespun cotton, appear much alike. They seem hardy, 
bold and enterprising, and I do not see that propensity for 
liquor that prevails elsewhere. The women, I have seen 

328. Robert Barr, Fayette county, probably. He was one of the promoters of the 
Kentucky "Society for Promoting Useful Knowledge." {v. Collins II. 193.) 



I04 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

few, are handsome ; they have several schools for girls, to 
whose education they pay attention ; not having seen any 
further I can only remark this much. Their market is well 
supplied with beef, mutton and veal, and their vegetables 
are very good. Strawberries were done, but of raspberries, 
currants and gooseberries, there appears plenty. Cherries I 
have met, but none of good sort. Bread very excellent.^-^ 

During my stay at Lexington I was able to enlarge my 
remarks upon general things. The Court was in session, 
Mr. Munroe^" presided as Judge, the lawyers appeared 
learned and well educated, and some displayed good capac- 
ity for dispute, but the influence of the people prevails in 
the Courts. Neither the Judge nor his opinions scarcely 
ever prevail ; and his want of power and authority admits 
of a custom, upon the most trifling difference of opinion, of 
filing exceptions, which leads to a removal to their Court of 
Appeals^^^ at Frankfort, which I think may be justly styled 
the "Court of Exceptions" ; and having been acquainted 
with Judges of both, I must say I think Mr. Munroe the 
best informed. 

Methodists prevail very generally ; their worship, as usual, 
noisy and violent, the few I heard scarcely uttered common 
sense. Baptists are, I think, the most numerous, their ser- 
vice well attended ; the other sects appear small. 

June 30th I went to Frankfort,*^^ the Capital of the State, 
upon the Kentucky River, a fine river full of boats, abound- 
ing with good fish, its banks high and bold, similar to the 

329. The above account of the value of products raised in Kentucky in this year is 
sustained by a letter in Charles Brockden Brown's American Register, 1806-7, '• 145- 
145. The hay was worth ^i.io.o sterling per ton. 

330. John Munroe, Judge of the Fayette County Court, {v. Ranck's History Lex- 
ington, Ky., 177.) 

331. Court of Appeals. In 1807 Felix Grundy was Chief Justice, and John Trimble, 
Ninian Edwards and Thomas Todd were Judges, (v. Collins II. 500.) 

332. Frankfort. Mr. Coiiynghani's description of this beautiful city in 1807 is ac- 
curate. It contained then about 140 houses, three printing offices, a book store, a 
bindery and a librar>'; a State Bank was established alter Mr. Conyngham's visit. 
The population now is 9,000. From 1793 to 1873 Frankfort had eight State Houses of 
which four were destroyed by fire. (v. Collins II. 245.) 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. IO5 

Schuylkill. The State offices were well built, but from par- 
simony of the Assembly are going fast to ruin. I think the 
Capital is wrongly fixed. Either Louisville, below the Falls, 
where a port would give great circulation, or else Lexing- 
ton should have been the place. I renewed my acquaint- 
ance with Governor Greenup f^ he is allowed fifteen hun- 
dred dollars per annum with a house, garden and fire wood. 
This pitiful compensation prevents his living as a Governor, 
and Democraay is carried too far in every department in 
my mind. 

Frankfort is a fine situation for a few stores and a Tobac- 
co Inspection, but can never be a great place. The Peni- 
tentiary deserves high commendation, its labour nearly pays 
its support. Nails, chains, etc., are worked there to a great 
advantage from the convenience of excellent coal, at one 
shilling per bushel, brought down the Kentucky. There 
were twenty-one persons confined ; three were foreigners, 
the rest natives. Mr. Snead superintends it with great judg- 
ment. 

I dined, going and coming back, at Dailey's inn ; he is a 
free black man whose house would prove excellent for neat- 
ness, attendance and propriety. 

Yesterday, 4th of July, was a partial holiday, it was cele- 
brated by the parade of some Militia Uniform Companies, 
and several orations delivered in several public buildings. 
The one I heard was languid ; not a word of our worthy 
Washington nor to his memory. Several public dinners 
were then resorted to. Whiskey alone was drank, but I 
saw little riot, and few drunkards. 

Rains were very frequent and roads bad; on the 5th it 
rained towards evening and again before day of the 6th, and 
during the morning, at 10 o'clock, it became stronger and 
fell with such violence as to raise the Branch, a small incon- 

333. Christopher Greenup, born Virginia 1750, died Frankfort, Ky., April 24, 1818. 
Governor of Kentucky 1804-1807. {v. Collins II. 303-304.) 



I06 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

siderable rivulet at common times, so high as to carry down 
houses, hay scales, logs, fences and everything in its way. 
Besides great damage in the country, it overflowed the town 
of Lexington, rushing into stores and cellars, most of which 
were full of water. Several merchants suffered heavily by 
the loss of sugar, salt, etc., and I think if it had continued 
half an hour longer it would have destroyed the trading 
part of the Main street. This rain was accompanied with 
but little thunder, lightning or wind. It continued so very 
wet with heavy gusts that I was not able to proceed to the 
Mud Lick or Olympian Springs^^^ until the 9th, when I went 
part of the way, dining at Winchester^''^ situated in a rich 
spot of land where they cultivate more tobacco than I had 
seen in any other place. I slept at Watts' and breakfasted 
next day at Mount Sterling,'^* County town of Montgomery, 
Here is an artificial hill or mound of earth thrown up about 
30 feet high and about 300 feet in diameter, trees grow up 
from it, but whether it was a burial place or a fort I could 
not fix in my mind. 

Hence to the Springs, about fourteen miles below, 
through a dark and lonesome road, I went on safely, and 
found Mr. Banks had done a vast deal to accommodate 
company. The lick is in a hollow, around which he has 
built a good house for a tavern, a room for billiards, and a 
large house for dining in and for dancing. This is piazzaed 
on both sides and is cool and airy. Round about are a 
number of cabins where you sleep and assemble to meals 

334. Olympian Springs, Bath County, eight miles southeast of Owingsville, a popu- 
lar watering place with three springs. Sulphur, Salt-sulphur and Chalybeate. 

335- Winchester, Clark County, named for Winchester, Va., 1793; incorporated 
1793. Population now 5, 000. 

336. Mount Sterling, so called because of the ancient mound which stood in the 
town limits. This mound was not so large as stated, supra. In 1806, Josiah Espy, a 
Philadelphia merchant, described it as "a remarkable Indian mound, about 25 feet 
high, almost 125 feet in diameter at the base and perfectly circular." It was cut down 
1846 and a large residence built on the spot. {v. Collins II. 632.) It is probable there- 
fore that the mound described by Mr. Conyngham was the one outside the town limits 
35 feet high connected with a circular work 350 feet in diameter by a terrace 100 feet long. 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 10/ 

in the big building. Tiiese springs are remarkable ; the 
large well is called a salt spring; it is mixed with sulphur 
and magnesia, and is used for baths and many purposes. It 
smells and tastes so disagreeably that my stomach would 
not admit it. About ten yards from the pump is a fine 
large spring of vitriol water. It tastes quite acid, and was 
to me pleasant and agreeable. Within five yards of this 
spring is a larger one, so strong of copperas that it can only 
be applied outwardly to sores, etc. 

Salt after rain is seen on all the ground, and cattle come 
many miles in droves to lick it. 

About 400 yards around a small hill of gravel and stone 
is as fine a running stream of chalybeate or water from iron 
ore, clear and cold, and within ten yards of it a clear fine 
spring of pure water. About three miles from these is 
a spring of sulphur, very strong and clear, so that perhaps 
in the world there is no combination ol so great a variety 
of mineral waters. I passed a week with great satisfaction, 
although the rains were still too frequent. I was pleased 
with the company, and made up an intimacy with General 
Scott.^^ I procured some papers and information from Mr. 
Banks and returned to Lexington, where I heard the news 
respecting the Chesapeake frigate, and Burr's being found 
guilty by the Grand Jury. I also found that Blennerhas- 
sett was in gaol here, and saw him marched off for Rich- 
mond under the Deputy Marshal and an escort of six men. 

Little business occurring for some days, and few en- 
gagements, being urged by numbers to take a view of the 
Cliffs of the Kentucky river,^*^ I went down on Saturday, 
the 31st of July, to Mr. Delham's, at the mouth of Hick- 
man, in company with Mr. Nicholas and G. Bickham ; we 
were joined there by J. Gratz ; we dined pleasantly and set 

337. Genkral Charles Scott, 1733-1813; distinguished as a soldier; Governor o 
Kentucky 1808-1812. {v. Appleton Cyc. Am. Biog., V. 435.) 

338. The Cliffs of the Kentucky River, (v. Collins' Kentucky, II. 397.) 



I08 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

off exploring the hills, which are truly remarkable. The 
rock is of marble and exceeds 300 or 400 feet in height on 
both sides. There are numbers of caves, some of which 
our party visited and found some of the earth from which 
the saltpeter is made. 

We returned in the evening, contemplating our arrange- 
ments for next day's amusements, which were unfortunately 
frustrated by the death of poor George Bickham,*^^ who 
went in with young Delham to bathe, and intending to cross 
the river, was carried into the vortex of a fishtrap, and 
whether he was seized with cramp or illness, or fell and 
hurt himself against the wood, we know not, he disappeared 
and was drowned. Darkness prevented our seeing him, 
and the noise of the water must have prevented our hearing 
any cries if he made any, nor could we even examine the 
place ; the only canoe within two miles being taken away 
by a boy. We found the body next afternoon about 400 
yards down the stream in deep water, and had it conveyed 
to Lexington and there buried. 

I saw two catfish that weighed one 60 pounds and the 
other 34 pounds. They are very palatable when dressed. 
Some Indian corn is so very strong and high as to run up 
to 14 and 15 feet, and some few fields up to 19 and 20 feet 
high ; in many places I could not reach the ears. 

339. George Bickham. The following notice from The American Register for 1807, 
Vol. II., p. 83, confirms the above : 

" Drowned, Lexington, Ky., on July 30, George Bickham, jun., of Philadelphia, only 
son of George Bickham, Esq., merchant, of that place. 

" On Friday morning Mr. Bickham and several of his acquaintances went on a visit 
to the Kentucky river; they had spent the afternoon in exploring the cliffs of the river, 
near the mouth of Hickman (the object of their visit), and in the evening he, with an- 
other gentleman, went in to bathe. In attempting to swim across the river, he unfor- 
tunately got into a current, which precipitated him over a fish dam a short distance 
below, and no eflbrts of his anxious friends could save him. The body, under the 
direction of the Rev. Mr. Moore and Mr. Blythe, attended by a large number of his 
friends and acquaintances, was interred in Lexington. In no instance have we wit- 
nessed such universal sympathy as was excited by this lamentable occurrence. To 
eulogize the deceased is unnecessary. Humane and generous, all who knew him loved 
him. In him society has lost a valuable member, an aged father the consolation of 
his declining years, and an amiable family a tender and affectionate brother." 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES, IO9 

APPENDIX B. 

(See pagb 259.) 
Secret Committee of Congress to Captain Hodge. 

Philadelphia, May 30, 1776. 

Sir : As you are now bound on a voyage to Europe with a view of procur- 
ing sundry articles that are wanted here, and have expectations that your friend 
Jean Wanderwoordt will supply such as we may desire, provided he is assured of 
being duly paid the cost, with interest for the time he remains in advance, we, 
the subscribers, being a quorum of the Secret Committee appointed by the 
honourable the Continental Congress, and authorized to procure from foreign 
countries supplies of arms, ammunition, and other articles on the best terms 
we can, being sensible of your deserving character, and knowing that your 
attachment to the liberties of your native country entitles you to our confidence, 
have concluded to authorize and empower you to contract with any person or 
persons in Europe, for ten thousand stand of good soldiers' muskets, well fitted 
with good double bridled gun-locks, and good bayonets ; ten thousand good 
double bridled gun-locks ; two hundred thousand gun-flints ; one thousand bar- 
rels of the best pistol powder ; one thousand barrels of the best common pow- 
der; and for two fast-sailing, well-armed cutters, such as you may think best 
calculated for a good and safe passage to this country, and for making good 
cruisers on this coast afterwards. You are to make your contracts in writing; 
stipulate the prices, not to exceed the current rates for each article, and make 
it your business to be well informed on this point. We are sensible that it is 
difficult to extract arms and ammunition from many parts of Europe, and that 
penalties are inflicted on such as are detected in doing it ; consequently a pre- 
mium beyond the first cost and common commissions must be allowed to those 
that undertake it ; and, in this respect we are rather at a loss how to limit you, 
being willing to allow what might be reasonable compensation, but unwilling 
to submit to extortion. However, as it is not in our power to judge of this 
point with precision, we exhort you to make the best bargain you can for the 
continent, and we conclude to allow you a commission of two and one-half 
per cent, on the amount of the invoice of the goods, and on the cost and outfit of 
the cutters ; but you will observe this commission is the whole of what we 
are to pay you, being the only compensation you are to expect for transacting 
this business, and expect and hope it will afford you a very handsome reward 
for your services. 

Our design is, to pay for those goods and cutters by remitting to the con- 
signation of those that supply them cargoes of this country's produce, such as 
tobacco, rice, indigo, furs, skins, flour, lumber, iron, etc.; and we hereby pledge 
the thirteen United Colonies for the punctual discharge of the debt or debts you 
may contract, in virtue of and conformity with these orders. We agree to 
allow such rate of interest as you may agree for, not exceeding five per cent, 
on the amount of the debt or debts, from the time the goods are shipped until 



I 10 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

payment is made, and this interest to cease on such partial payments as may be 
made from time to time. In confirmation of these orders, we deliver herewith 
a letter to your friend, Mr. Jean Wanderwoordt, attended with a certificate of 
our being a quorum of the Secret Committee, properly authorized to transact 
such business for the public, which you may avail yourself of with Mr. Wan- 
derwoordt, or any other person necessary for effecting the purchase. 

It is our understanding that the goods you contract are to be at the risk of 
the contractors until they are shipped on board, and bills of lading granted for 
them, after which they become our risk ; and if the risk from that time until 
the ending of the voyage can be covered by insurance, at a premium not ex- 
ceeding twenty per cent., we would wish to have such part insured as is to 
come from Europe direct out for this coast ; the insurance to be against all risks 
whatever, at and from the shipping port to any place of delivery in the thirteen 
United Colonies of America. 

When you have accomplished the business so far as to make the contracts 
and purchase cutters, you must cause to be shipped three thousand stand of 
arms, six hundred barrels of powder, three thousand gun-locks, and sixty thou- 
sand gun-flints, on board each cutter. Take bills of lading, deliverable to us 
in any part of the United American Colonies, and dispatch them for this coast. 
These cutters must be well armed and manned. You should procure, if pos- 
sible, masters that are acquainted with the sea-coast of America, men of 
intelligent understanding and firm minds, well attached to the American cause; 
many such there are in Europe, pining to return and serve this country in the 
present glorious contest. You will also pick up as many American seamen as 
possible, and if sufficient of those do not offer, complete the number with the 
best you can get ; and in fitting these vessels it will be well done to put on 
board each three or four tons of musket balls, suited to the bore of the ten thou- 
sand stand of arms. As the operations of our enemies are uncertain, it is hard 
for us to point out what part of the coast these cutters should push for. We 
believe the inlets between New York and Virginia may be as safe as any. They 
must get into the first place of safety they can, and give us immediate advice 
by express of their arrival ; and by these vessels you will transmit us any pub- 
lic news, or any useful intelligence in your power. The remainder of the goods 
we think it most prudent to order out in foreign bottoms to some of the foreign 
Islands in the West Indies, where you can send for them with ease and toler- 
able security. You will consult with your friends what Island may be safest 
to make use of; and also obtain recommendation to a proper house for receiv- 
ing and reshipping the goods, transmitting us the name and address by the 
cutters, and we shall send them funds to pay the freight and charges. Those 
goods going in neutral bottoms need only be insured against the common risks 
of the sea, etc. We are, sir, etc., etc. 

To Mr. William Hodge. 

(Force's Archives, 4th Series, VI. 618.) 



CONYNGHAM REMIMISCENCES. Ill 

No. I. 
Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Hodge, Jun. 

Philadelphia, Oct. 3, 1776. 

Sir : We deliver you herewith copies of the letters and credentials you had 
from us when you sailed on your late unfortunate voyage, the originals whereof 
we understand you destroyed on being taken by the "Orpheus" man-of-war. 
We have since that time taken other measures for procuring arms and ammuni- 
tion, which probably may have succeeded ; therefore we request you will lay 
those copies and this letter before Silas Deane, Esq., at Paris, and follow such 
advice and directions as he may give respecting arms and ammunition ; but 
with respect to the cutters we approve much of that plan, and wish it to be ex- 
ecuted and even enlarged. We therefore propose that you should consult with 
Mr. Deane and Mr. Thomas Morris on this subject, and if you find it will be in 
your power to procure seamen and obtain permission to arm and fit out vessels 
in France, Spain, or Holland, that you should, if possible, buy a frigate of 
twenty to forty guns, have her completely fitted, armed and manned, putting 
in a gentleman of unexceptionable good character, being also an able seaman, 
to command her, for which purpose we give you herewith a blank commission, 
to be filled up with his and the ship's name, which may the "Surprise." The 
Captain and you may appoint the officers necessary for this ship, giving to each 
a certificate showing his station. 

When this ship is completed you must give orders to the Captain, signed by 
Mr. Deane, to cruise in the channel against the enemies of the United States 
of America, making prize of all British property as he can meet with. He may 
send his prizes into such ports in France as may be most convenient, and you 
will there demand protection for them, or rather let Mr. Deane demand this, 
and also liberty to make sale of such goods as he, Mr. Morris, and yourself 
may think best to sell there. Direct the Captain to take out any dry goods he 
finds on board his prize into his own ship, and when by this means he has got 
a considerable quantity on board, let him come away for this coast, and get into 
the first place of safety he can in the United States of America. 

The Captain must, before he goes, give bond duly to observe all rules and 
regulations of Congress ; and herewith we deliver you a blank bond, with a 
book of those rules, and a list of the Continental agents. Any prize that he 
sends into France you must send forward from thence to some of these states, 
unless Mr. Deane, Mr. Morris and yourself agree it is more for the publick 
good to sell in France ; and if you sell them there apply the net proceeds to pay 
the debts you contract in this business. 

Besides this ship, we approve also of the two cutters, as mentioned in our 
former letters. You may arm, fit and man them, and dispatch them hither as 
soon as possible, either with arms, ammunition, or such other goods as Mr. 
Deane and Mr. Morris may recommend or provide. We deliver you commis- 
sions, etc., for these vessels also, and recommend to you to be very attentive to 



112 CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. 

the choice of Captains. They should all be good seamen, men of good character 
and principles, strongly attached to this country and its cause ; and prefer 
Americans, thus deserving to any other country. If such Americans are not to 
be found, seek for good men of other countries that have been here or have 
connexions among us. We know tliat there are many such in Europe that 
would be glad of the employ. 

The ship must make but a short cruise in the Channel, and a short one will 
do the business, for she will daily meet prizes ; but if she is long there, they 
will have men-of-war in quest of her. We hope you will meet with some fine, 
fast-sailing ship for this purpose, and be able to purchase and fit her on reason- 
able terms. We shall desire Mr. Deane and Mr. Morris to join you in the 
necessary assurances to those you deal with of being faithfully reimbursed. W^e 
again repeat that we shall make remittances in the produce of this country for 
that purpose. We shall also make you a proper compensation for your trouble 
and services hereafter, when they can be better ascertained. Therefore, wish- 
ing you success, we remain, sir, your humble servants. 

To William Hodge, Jun. 

P. S. — It is absolutely necessary that you observe the utmost secrecy in all 
this business, and make use of every cloak or cover you can think of to hide 
the real design. 

(Force's Archives, 5th Series, II. 851.) 

No. 2. 
Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Hodge, Jun. 

Philadelphia, Oct. 3, 1776. 

Sir : We commit to your care sundry despatches delivered you herewith, 
and you are immediately to repair on board the sloop "Independence," John 
Young, commander, now waiting for you between this and Reedy Island. This 
sloop will carry you and said despatches, with the utmost expedition, to the 
Island of Martinico, where you must apply to Wm. Bingham, Esq., delivering 
to him all the letters and packages directed for him. This gentleman will 
assist in procuring you an immediate passage from thence to some port in 
France, on board a French vessel. Choose a good one if you have a choice, 
and a man-of-war or a packet, in preference to a merchantman. The General 
of Martinico will give you a letter to the commander of the port you sail for, 
requesting him to grant you a passport, and to expedite you immediately to 
Paris. On your arrival there, you must find out Silas Deane, Esq., and Mr. 
Thomas Morris, and deliver to each the letters and packages directed for them. 

If you arrive at Nantz, apply to Mr. John Daniel Schweighauser; at Bor- 
deaux, to Messrs. Samuel and John Hans Delap; at Havre de Grace, to Mr. 
Andrew Limozin; at Dunkirk, to Messrs. P. Stival & .Son, in the name of 
Willing, Morris & Co., to furnish you with the address of Mr. Deane and Mr. 
Morris, at Paris, as it will be well known to them all, and they will also ren- 



CONYNGHAM REMINISCENCES. II 3 

der you any other services you may stand in need of. Should you go to Paris 
without previously finding out the address of these gentlemen, apply to Messrs. 
, bankers in Paris, who can direct you to Mr. Deane. 

The letters and packets directed for him and Thomas Morris you are to con- 
sider as despatches of the utmost importance. You must never suffer them to 
be out of your possession one moment until you deliver them safe, with un- 
touched seals, to those two gentlemen, unless you should unfortunately be 
taken, and in that case you must throw them overboard, always keeping them 
ready slung with a weight to sink them if that measure should be necessary, 
and for your faithful discharge of this trust, you are answerable to your God, 
your country, and to us that have reposed this confidence in you. 

We have desired Mr. Bingham to supply you with what money you want at 
Martinico, and to transmit us your receipts for the amount. Mr. Deane will 
supply you with any sum not exceeding one hundred and fifty pounds sterling 
in France. You will keep an account of your expences, which will be paid 
by the Congress, who will also compensate you hereafter generously for your 
time, trouble and risk, in this voyage. Should Mr. Deane think proper to send 
you immediately back with despatches for us, you will no doubt take charge of 
them and proceed according to his instructions. 

Your must cautiously avoid letting any person whatever know what is your 
business, or that you have the least connection with publick business. 

We wish you a safe and successful voyage, and are, sir, your obedient and 
humble servants. 

To Mr. William Hodge, Jun. 

(Force's Archives, 5th Series, II. 852.) 



No. 3. 

Committee of Secret Correspondence to their Commercial 
Houses in Europe. 

Philadelphia, October 3, 1776. 

Gentlemen : The bearer hereof, Mr. William Hodge, Jun., is a young 
gentleman we esteem ; he now goes for France, via the West Indies, and is un- 
certain at what port he may land. He has business with Silas Deane, Esq., 
and Mr. T. Morris; we beg, therefore, you will furnish him with their address, 
and render him any other service he may stand in need of. If he wants money 
for expenses, please to advance it, and his draft on Mr. Deane will be hon- 
oured. Your compliance will oblige, gentlemen, your obedient, humble ser- 
vants. 

To Mr. John Daniel Schweighauser, at Nantz; Messrs. Samuel & J. H. 
Delap, at Bordeaux ; Mr. Andrew Limozin, at Havre ; Messrs. P. Sleval & 
Son, at Dunkirk. 

(Force's Archives, 5th .Series, II. 853.) 



INDBX. 



Adair, Dean, 6. 
Adams, John Q., 55. 
Adam, Peter, Capt., 40. 
Addison, Alexander, 93. 
Allen, James, 33. 
Alricks, Hermann, 17. 
Alricks, William, 98. 
Ameland, Augusta, 65. 
Andre, John, 47. 
Annandale, Earl of , 6. 
Appower, Samuel, Capt., 
. 71- 

Archer, John, 49. 
Arnold, Benedict, 43, 45, 
47- 

Badger, Capt., 66. 

Ball, Burgess, 39. 

Banks, 105, 106. 

Barber, 57. 

Barclay, Mr., 57. 

Barclay, John, 35. 

Barclay, "Thomas, 46, 50. 
98. 

Barge, Jacob, 42. 

Barnes, James, 19. 

Barney, Joshua, 56. 

Barr, Mr., 99. 

Barr, Robert, 103. 

Barrington, Admiral 
Samuel, 27. 

Blake, Paddy, 75. 

Brackenridge, H. H., 92- 
93, 94- 

Braddock, General Ed- 
ward, 62. 

Bradford, David, 90. 

Bradford. William, 63. 

Brady, Mr., 62. 

Brassieurs, Dr., 100. 

Beaujolais, Count Louis 

Beck, Paul, Jr., 33. 
Bell, Thomas, 43. 
Bell, William, 33. 
Benezet, John, 43. 
Benezet, J., 57, 58. 
Beveridge, John, 23. 
Blennerhasset, Harmon, 

loi, 107. 
Bickham, George, 107, 

108. 
Biddle, Capt. Charles, 

85, 86. 
Biddle, Clement, 52, 92. 
Biddle, Capt. Nicholas, 

207. 
Bingham, Hannah, 33, 75. 
Bingham, William, 112. 

113- 
Birch, Oliver, 75. 
Bonaparte, Jerome, 59. 
Bonaparte, Joseph, 59. 
Bond, Phineas Dr., 37. 
Bonham, William, 31. 



Boudinot, Elias, 43. 
Boyle, John, 75, 76. 
Boys, Capt. Nathan, 28, 

29. 
Brown, Charles B., 104. 
Brown, Capt., 37. 
Brown, John, 90. 
Brown, Capt. Moses, 44. 
Brown, Samuel, 23. 
Budden, Lieut. James, 

32, 36, 48, 50, 51. 
Bunner, Murray & Co., 

80. 
Bird, Col. Mark, 33. 
Burd, James, 194. 
Burr, Col. Aaron, loi, 

107. 
Blythe, Mr., 108. 

Cabarris, Stephen, 39. 
Cadwalader, John, i8, 35, 

64, 65, 67, 78. 
Caldwell, James, 48. 
Caldwell, Samuel, 36. 
Calvin, Mr., 51. 
Campbell, George, 33, 52. 
Campbell, Lieut. Robert, 

32, 33- 
Carmichael, Wm., 83-83. 
Chambers, Stephen, 33. 
Charles I, 6. 
Charles X, 58. 
Charlotte, Queen, 58. 
Chastellux, Marquis de, 

SI, 60. 
Clay, Henry, 107. 
Crawford, James, 55, 57. 
Crawford, Wm., 94, 96. 
Christian VII, 58. 
Clibborne, Joshua, 49. 
Clinton, General, 42. 
Collier, Sir George, 38. 
Connolly, Katherine, 7 
Conyngham, Alice, 10. 
Conyngham, Andrew, 

7. 8. 
Conyngham, Adam, 8, 

60. 
Conyngham, Alexander, 

6-10, 19, 63. 
Conyngham, Sir Albert, 7. 
Conyngham, Catherine, 

10, 63. 
Conyngham, Capt. David, 

S, 6, 19. 
Conyngham, David Hay- 
^ field, i-i 13. 

Conyngham, Elizabeth, 8. 
Conyngham, Gabriel, 19. 
Conyngham, George, 7. 
Conyngham, Capt. Gus- 

tavus, 8, 10, 13, 18, 19, 

26, 43, 60, 61, 7S, 78, 

81, 83, 84. 
Conyngham, Hannah, 46. 



Conyngham, Helen, 98. 
Conyngham, Isabella H., 

8. 
Conyngham, John, 8, 18, 

46, 62, 63. 
Conyngham, Col. J. B., 

21. 
Conyngham, Hon. J. N., 

Conyngham, Lydia, 8. 
Conyngham, Margaret, 8. 
Conyngham, MarthaiA., 8. 
Conyngham, Martha E., 9. 
Conyngham, Mary, 40, 

98. 
Conyngham & Nesbitt, 

4-13- 
Conyngham, Redmond, 

5-16, 62, 66, 75. 
Conyngham, Richard, 7. 
Conyngham, Willam, 5-8, 

19, 62. 
Cook, Capt., 83. 
Copperthwait, Capt., 18, 

96. 
Corbley, John, 95, 96. 
Cornstalk, loi. 
Cowan, James, 99. 
Coxe, Isaac, 32, 35, 47, 

75. 
Cummings, Archibald, 9. 
Cruize, Capt., 83. 
Clymer, Daniel C, 33, 52. 
Clymer, George, 33, 92. 
Clymer, Meredith, 92. 

Daily, 105. 

Davis, Ben., 36, 37. 

Davis, Gen. W. H. H., 

Si- 
Dean, Joseph, 30, 
Deane, Silas, 60, 81-85, 

109-113. 
D'Estaing, Count, 26, 27, 

37, 38. 
Delancy, Col., so- 

Delaney, Sharp, Capt., 

33- 
Delap, John Hans, 112, 

113- 
Delham, Mr., 107, 108. 
Delap, Hans. J., 58. 
Delap, S., s8. 
Dillon, Count, 60. 
Dobbins, Mr., 25. 
Donaldson, John, ss, 57, 

97- 
Donaldson, Arthur, 57. 
Dunbar, Thomas, 62." 
Duncan, David, 36. 
Dunmore, Lord, 39, 6s, 

lOI. 

Dunlap, John, 36, 96. 
Dunscombe, Thomas, 23. 
Dyer, Elizabeth, 53. 



Eden, Sir Robert, 40. 
Edwards, Ninian, 104. 
Edward. Prince, 41. 
Ellery, Wm., 20. 
Ellis, Catherine, 9. 
Ellis, Martha, 9. 
Ellis, Robert, 9, 23. 
Elliott, Andrew, 11. 
Elliott, Mrs., 90. 
Enghiem, Duke de, 60. 
Erskine, Elizabeth, 57. 
Erskine, Mary, 57. 
Erskine, Sarah, 57. 
Erskine, William, 57. 
Espy, Josiah, 106. 
Evans, G., 41. 
Evans, Miss, 29. 
Ewing, Capt., James, 

68, 69. 
Ewing, L. James, 97. 
Ewing, Thomas, 75. 
Eyre, Manuel, 29. 

Farrell, Mr., 62. 
Fauchet, Jean. A. J., 68. 
Faulkner, Capt., 10. 
Faulkner, Ephraim, 51. 
Franks, David, 71. 
Franks, David S., 33. 
Franklin, Benj., 19, 44, 

60, 83-85. 
Fell, Major Robert E., 

10. 
Fredrick, Augustus 

Prince, 65. 
Fishbourne, Benj., 49, 50. 
Fishbourne, Elizabeth, 49. 
Fishbourne, Mary, 49. 
Fishbourne, Sarah, 49. 
Fishbourne, William, 49. 
Fisher, Jabez, "jz. 
Fitch, John, 70, 71. 
Fries, John, 51. 
Forbes, Wm., 21. 
Fuller, Benj., 76, 98. 

Gallatin. Albert, 87. 
Gallissonniere, M. de La, 

Galloway, Alexander, 65. 
Galloway, Charlotte S., 

65. 
Gambis, Count de, 38 
Gamble, Mr., 12, 24. 
Gardner, Theophilus, 9. 
Gratz. J., 107. 
Grayson, Alexander, 19. 
Grayson, Col. Wm., 34. 
Geddes, Geo., 44. 
Genlis, Comtesse de, 69. 
George III, 50, 51, 58. 
George IV, 58. 
Glen, Robert, 75, 76. 
Greenup, Christopher, 

105. 
Gressell, Col. U S. A., 

33- 
Grey, Charles, 62. 
Gibbes, Capt., 31. 
Gibson, 93. 
Gibson, John, 92. 



Gibson, George, 92. 
Giles, Wm. B., 69. 
Girard, Stephen, 61. 
Gist, Major Mordecai, 

40. 
Guion, Isaac, 69. 
Goddard, William, 40. 
Gordon, Harry, 11. 
Gorman, W., 5,8 
Gurney, Francis, 77. 
Grundy, Felix,- 104. 

Hacker, Isaiah, 21. 
Hale, Rev. Edward E., 

19, 84. 
Hall, William, 35, 94, 96. 
Hamilton, Andrew, 30. 
Hamilton, James, 6, 13. 
Hamilton, John, 95, 96. 
Hamilton, William, 12. 
Hammond, Capt., 60. 
Hand, Gen. Edward, 21, 

Hart, Charles Henry, 19. 
Havden, Horace E, 1, 

Sg. 
Haytield, Matthias, 17. 
Hemphill, Joseph, 74. 
Henderson, Capt., 20. 
Hildreth, Richard, 87, 88. 
Hiltzheimer, Robert, 97. 
Hockley, Ann, 19. 
Hodge, Andrew, Sr., 17, 

19, 81, 83, 8s. 
Hodge, Alexander A., 17. 
Hodge, Andrew, Jr., 17. 
Hodge, Rev. Dr. Chas., 

17 
Hodge, Rev. F. B., 17. 
Hodge, Hannah, 17. 
Hodge, Hugh, 17. 
Hodge, Margaret, 17. 
Hodge, Mary, 17. 
Hodge, Wm.. Jr., 17-19, 

60, 78, 81-86, 98, 109- 

113- 
Hoffman, Capt., 64. 
Hogg, Alderman, 75. 
Holker, John, 45. 
Holmes, Capt., 57. 
Hooper, William, 81 
Hopkinson, Francis, 23. 
Howe, Gen. Lord, 45, 80. 
Howell. Samuel. 96. 
Hows, Mr., 100. 
Hutchinson, R., 23. 

Ingliss, Capt., J., 38, 42. 
Ingliss, John, 42, 65. 
Iredell, James, 51. 
Irvin, Thomas, 47. 

Jack Saucy, 94. 
James V, 6. 

Jay, John, 42, 81. 
ackson. Gen Andrew, 

Jennings, John, 53. 
Tones, Chas. H., 19, 26. 
Jordan, John W., 4. 
Joseph II, 58. 



Kearsley, Dr. John, Jr., 

Keliumr'Capt., 37. 
Klein, R. Theo., 99. 
Kingston, Duchess of, 

28. 
Knox, Francis, \2 
Knox, John, 13. 
Knox, Robert, 13. 

La Fayette, Marquis de, 

59. 90 
Lang, Alexander, 10, 11. 
Lardner, John. 36, 96. 
Latouche-Treville, 60. 
Lauzun, Duke de, 60. 
Lawrence, & Morris, 61. 
Lawrence, John, Jr., 34. 
Lawrence, Thomas, 34. 
Lawrence, Staats, 34. 
Lawrence, William, 46. 
Lee, Richard Henry, 20, 

40, 41, 81, 84. 
Leiper, Thomas, 36, 96. 
Lenox, David, 31, 35, 96. 
Leopold, of Holland, 59. 
Leslie, John, 63 
Leslie, Matthew, 62, 63. 
Lewis, Gen. Andrew, loi. 
Lichtenstein, Count von, 

59- 
Limozin, Andrew, 112- 

113- 
Louis, Philippe, 59, 67, 

70. 
Louis XV, 58, 74. 
Louis XVI, 58. 
Louis XVIII, 58. 
Low, Nicholas. 39. 
Loxley, Benjamin, 64. 
Luzerne, Chevalier de la, 
. 59- ^ 
Lyons, Sergeant, 50. 

McAuslan, Baron, 47. 
McCausland, Hannah 

Conyngham, 8. 
McCausland, Oliver, 8, 

McClennachan, Blair, 27, 

SI. 67. 
McConnell, Matthew, 34 
McCulloch. Mr., 33. 
McClure, John, 95. 
McClure, Margaret, 95. 
McKean, B. J., 91, 97. 
McKean, Thomas. 91. 
McKee. John, 91. 
McLane, Capt. Allen, 33, 

34- 
MacPherson, Capt. John, 

7i- 
Madelian, 94. 
Madison, Tames, 69. 
Mackey, Wm., 23 
Magonnagil, Catherine, 

Mansfield, Lord, 54. 
Maria I, 58. 
Marsli, John, 14. 
\farshair, John, 87, 88. 



Massey, Samuel, 65. 
Mason, Sergeant, 47-51. 
Martin, N., Capt., 79. 
Matlack, Timothy, 31. 
May, John, Col., loi, 

102. 
Maxwell, John, 36. 
Mayer, Edward R., 54. 
Mease, John, 97, 98 
Mercer, John F., Maj., 

41. 
Meredith, Elizabeth, 92. 
Mifflin, John. ^19, 69. 
Miffln, John F., 34. 
Miffin, Samuel, 31. 
Miflln, Gov. Thomas, 34, 

6S. 77- 
Mitchell, John, 79. 
Mitchell, kandall, 48. 
Montjolie, Marquis de, 

69. 
Moore, Rev. M., 108. 
Moore, Francis, 23. 
Morris, Robert, 21, 33, 

34. 41. 43. 45. 71. 80, 

81, 83 
Morris, Gouverneur, 42. 
Morris, Mrs. Robert, 21, 

41,. 42, 43. 
Morri^s, Samuel, 33, 34. 
Morris, Thomas, 82, 83, 

85, 100-113. 
Morris, Thomas C 36. 
Morrow, Adam C., 90. 
Motte-Piquet la, 38. 
Moylan, Stephen, 59. 
Munroe, John, 104. 
Murray, Mrs. Louise 

Welles, 100. 
Murray, John, 6. 
Murray, Marian, 6. 
Murray, Richard, 7. 
Murrey, John, 65 

Nesbitt, Alexander, 10, 

II. 36, 37- 
Nesbitt, Elizabeth, 10. 
Nesbitt, Esther, 10. 
Nesbitt, Francis, 10. 
Nesbitt, George, 10. 
Nesbitt, James, 10. 
Nesbitt, John Maxwell, 

3, 5, 10-12, 23, 40, 51, 
^52,_ 67, 75-79, 98. 
Nesbitt, Jonathan, 10, 11, 

18, 20, 26, 41, 43, 45, 

53- 
Nesbitt, Sarah, 10. 
Nichols, Francis, ^4, 36. 
Nichols, William, "34, "36. 
Nichola, Lewis, 34. 
Nicholson, James, 35, 40. 
Nixon, John, 29, 76. 
Noailles, Viscount de, 38. 
North, Lord, 78. 
Norris, Isaac, 37. 

O'Brien, M. M , 35. 
Oollers, Philip, 65. 
Ogden, Mr., 64. 
Ogden, James, 47-50. 



Palfrey, Col. Wm., 57, 

58. 
Pancake, Philip, 30. 
Paoli, Pascal, 58. 
Pedro, 58. 

Penrose, Thomas, 57. 
Peters, Richard, 4, 9, 

19, 52-55, 80. 
Peters, William, 54, 55. 
Phillips, Henry, Jr., 19. 
Potts, John, Jr., 34. 
Potts, Dr Jonathan, 34. 
Potts, Matthew, 34. 
Potts, Nathaniel, 34. 
Putman, Rufus G., 100. 
Putnam, Israel, 100. 
Plunkett, David, 8, 40. 
Privateers and Armed 
Vessels of Penn'a: 

Andrew Doria, 29. 

Brittania, 71. 

Charming Peggy, 13, 
18. 

Charming Polly, 43, 78. 

Charming Sally, 43, 78. 

Chatham, 29. 

Congress, 44, 43. 

Franklin, 28. 

General Greene, 27. 

Hero, 28 

Hannah, 29. 

Holker, 44. 

Hyder_ Alley, 55. 

Intrepid. 44, 45. 

Lion, 29. 

Nesbitt, 13, 79. 

Polly's Revenge, 13. 

Renette, 13, 44, 45. 

Revenge, 13, 19, 20, 26, 
27. 78, 81 

Shilalah, 13, 56, 57. 

Speedwell, 13, 44. 

Surprise, 28. 

Viper, 29. 

Gen'l Washington, 28. 

See Vessels. 
Plunkett, Marv C, 8 
Plunkett, Thomas, 8, 16, 

40. 
Plunkett, Wm. C, 40, 45, 

46, 62. 

Ramsey, Captain, 40. 
Ramsey & Coxe, 61. 
Rattoone, Thomas, 47-50. 
Rankin, Moses, 25. 
Redman, John, 41, 46,47. 
Reed, Gov. Joseph, 28, 

30-34, 46-48, 85. 
Riddle, John, 54. 
Ritter, 52. 
Roach. Mr., 52. 
Robeson, John, 97 
Robeson, Jonathan, 97. 
Roberts, Mr., 92, 93. 
Robinson, Andrew, 34. 
Rochambeau. General, 59. 
Rochefoucauld-Lian- 

court, Duke de La, 69. 
Ross, Catherine, 8. 



Ross, David, 8, 16. 
Ross, Hugh, 32. 
Ross & Simpson, 70. 
Ross, Mr., 85. 
Rowley, Admiral, 38. 
Rush, Benj., 75. 

Sanderson, Captain, 25 
Sargent, Mr., 62. 
Saucy, Jack, 94. 
Schaffer, John, 34. 
Schweighauser, John D., 

112-113. 
Smallwood, William, 40. 
Spaight, Richard D., 55. 
Stamper, Henry, 67. 
Stanley, John W., 55, 56. 
Stanley, Richard, 55, 57. 
Swanwick, John, 42. 
Sedgwick, 97. 
Shea, Col John, 35. 
Skeene, Major Philip K., 

28. 
Sterling, Lord, 46, 48-50. 
Stewart, Andrew, 10, 25. 
Stewart, Col. Charles, 

Stewart, David, 8, 10, 40. 
Stewart, Isabella C, 8. 
Stewart, Robert, 36. 
Stewart, Gen'l Walter, 
10, 19, 21, 36, 66, 67, 

Stewart & Barr, 99. 
Schenk, Mr., 47, 50. 
Sinncol, John G., 48. 
Simpson, Capt., 86. 
Simpson, 70. 
Shield, Hugh, 51. 
Shippen. Margaret, 41. 
Smith, Robert, 96, 97. 
Smith, Capt. Samuel 39. 
Smith, William, 17. 
Spinnenberger, George, 

30. 
Snead, Mr., 105. 
St Clair, Arthur, 49. 
Stirling. Capt. C, 44, 49- 
Stival, P., 112-113. 
Scott, Gen. Charles, 107. 
Slough, Matthias, 51. 
Scull, Joseph, 23. 
Sullivan, Capt., 58. 

Taggert, Mrs. 72, 79. 
Tallman, Mary, 49. 
Tallyrand, Prince, 69, 70. 
Talon, Antoine Omer, 

69. 
Tannehill, Andrew, 95. 
Taylor, Maj. Jas., 48, 50. 
Treby, Captain, 62. 
Trenchard, Jane, 94. 
Tinker, John, 23. 
Trimble, John, 104. 
Todd, Thomas, 104. 
Thompfon, Gen. Wm., 34 
\'ail, Aaron, Jr., 70. 
Vale, Eliza, 70 
Veech, James, 88, 89. 



Vergennes, Count de, 60, 

84. 
Vessels, American, (see 

Privateers). 

America, 68, 69. 

Alexandria, 12. 

Hamilton Galley, 12. 

Hannah, 18. 

Hayfield, 12, 13, 17, 23. 

Isabella, 12 

Jeniser, 47. 

John & Mary, 12. 

Minerva, 25. 

New Culloden, 13. 

Prince William, 12. 

Rainbow, 13. 

Sally, 25. 

Two Friends, 70. 

Two Brothers, 70. 
Vessels Foreign: 

Harrington, 28. 

Diana, 44. 

Fantesque, 27. 

Friendship, 44. 

General Monk, 55, 56 

Goliath, 38. 

Harwick, Packet, 61, 
78. 



Hermione, 60. 

La Blanche, 37, 38. 

Morson, 44. 

Nantilus, 37, 38. 

Orpheus, 81. 

Prince of Wales, 27. 

Savage, 44. 

Senegal, 37, 38 

Vulture, 20, 47. 
Wadhams, Richard, 54. 
Wallace, George, 92, 93. 
Waltman, Michael, 30. 
VVanderwoordt, 109- no. 
Ward, Townsend, 14, 31, 

87, 89. 
Washington, General, 52, 

59, 61, 65, 67, 72, 80, 

90, 91. 
Watts, Mr., 106. 
Watson, John F., 14, 16, 

18, 54- 
Wayne, General Anthony 

35, 46-49- 
Wharton, Francis, 87. 88. 
Wharton, Joseph, 63. 
West, Ann, 17, 92. 
West, i-'rancis, 17, 21,98, 

99 



West, Benj. F., 99. 
West, John, 21, 98, 99. 
West, Mary, 17. 
West, William, 57, 92, 98. 
Wiant, Annie, 49. 
Wilcox, John, 56. 
VVilkins, John, 92. 
Wilkinson, Gen. Tas., 69. 
William IV, 59. 
William, Jonathan, 97. 
Williamson, Hugh, 20. 
Willing, Thomas, 71. 
Willing, Morris, 100, 112- 

113- 
Wilson, Hon. Tames, 30. 
Witherspoon, Rev. John, 

87. 
White, Bishop William, 

3-2- 
Wood, James, 1 1. 
Wood, John, 95. 
Woods. John, 92. 
Wood, Col. Joseph, 49. 

Young, John, 112. 

Zenger, John, P., 50. 



